Prepare for Difficulties - Genesis 47

S - Genesis 47:18 But that year ended, and the next year they came again and said, “We cannot hide the truth from you, my lord. Our money is gone, and all our livestock and cattle are yours. We have nothing left to give but our bodies and our land. 19 Why should we die before your very eyes? Buy us and our land in exchange for food; we offer our land and ourselves as slaves for Pharaoh. Just give us grain so we may live and not die, and so the land does not become empty and desolate.”
O - The Egyptians had run out of food, money and livestock and the only thing left that that had was their land and their bodies. In order to continue living they needed to sell both of these to get enough food to live. If these same people would have prepared, as Joseph had perpared Egypt for the famine, these same people would not have had to sell everything and become Pharoah's servants.
A - There are bound to be very trying times in my life in the future. However, I have the ability today to start planning and saving for these situations. God has blessed me more than I can even comprehend, so now I have the responsibility to take care of these blessings. Other challenges may not be financial, but relational or spiritual. For these, I need to stay focused on God and remain in His word so that I have His strength and wisdom in me to help me through these difficulties.
P - God, I pray for your wisdom and strength today to really know you and understand you and to be always near you. You are the reason that I am who I am and I have what I have and for that I am forever grateful. I ask that you would never leave me and that your hand would guide me throughout life. I pray for your protection over myself and my family and also for healthy bodies and minds. I also pray a blessing over this little girl today and pray that her tongue would work properly and would astound the doctors and nurses. I ask that your favor be on us and that these social workers are drawn to us to raise this little girl. I praise you and honor you today and everyday, Lord!