Two Available Paths

Gen 40:16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head: 17 And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. 18 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: 19 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.

The treachery of Satan is an illustration that is echoed in all who reject the grace that is freely given in Christ. While in the first dream of the butler, he sees himself serving and pleasing the King – in the dream, Pharaoh; the dream of the baker is different. There were bakemeats meant for the King but which were served to birds.

Centuries later, a man called Judas called and commissioned by Christ to be a disciple but secretly a thief and a traitor, serves the interests of the Pharisees and other agents of hell to betray Christ. Just as Christ is resurrected after three days, Judas ends up hanging, his corpse feeding birds. The lot of a traitor is a bad end. There are many pictures in scripture that point out that it is not all that will end well. For many the end will be fearfully horrible. We are in a time when many question the reality of hell and a horrible end … but the types and admonitions in scripture do not support that there is no hell.

Luk 6:25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

I do pray that your end will be well. Reflect in this devotional on the way you will end.  It is not everyone that mourns that will be blessed.  Both baker and butler were sad, but their outcomes were very different.  Men will often only see similar patterns and circumstances … all “worshippers” gathering lifting up hands but God who sees the heart separates the faithful from the traitor.  Note that Joseph does not know the basis of God’s judgement.

How will my case be? Do not assume or be presumptuous?  Ask God who knows the two available paths, the path of life and that of death. David did not take chances. He went to God for answers. You can also discover yourself through the word of God. God judges our ways by His word in which there is illumination for us to correct many deviations. The baker assumed he would also have good news and was bold to reveal his dreams. He was wrong. We can go to God for mercy to help us to be right with Him. Most are too proud to do so and would rather just continue in an ignorant presumption that all is well … when the word may reveal that it is not.

Psa 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

The text reminds us that there are two available paths. Be on the path of life. Pray to God for mercy to end well. That which is meant for God – your body is to be His temple – but how come it is served to foul birds? Lord help and change a bad situation. Repent.

Song.

Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin ;

Each victory will help you … some other to win

Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;

Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

Ask the Savior to help you, Comfort strengthen and keep you;

He is willing to aid you, He will carry you through.

               Dr H.R Palmer

Prayer: O Lord, Have mercy on my soul. Let my end be glorious and not shame. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory.  We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious  because God works His marvellous agenda.   Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily.   Edited by  Bolade Apampa