17/09/2025
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
[Nigeria and Overseas]
THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2025)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE:
Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
TOPIC
HUMAN RECOMMENDATION (II)
MEMORISE
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it" (Genesis 41:15).
READ:
Genesis 41:1-15
[1]. Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river.
[2]. Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow.
[3]. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river.
[4]. And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke.
[5]. He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good.
[6]. Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them.
[7]. And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream.
[8]. Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.
[9]. Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: “I remember my faults this day.
[10]. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker,
[11]. we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream.
[12]. Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream.
[13]. And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.”
[14]. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.
[15]. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.”
EXPOSITION
Yesterday, we saw the required biblical attitudes to our work and the reward. Let us consider people who were recommended in the Bible and how it was done. Kings in the OT don't play with their dreams; the more reason they employed wise men to interpret their dreams. In Nebuchadnezzar's case, they weren't only to interpret the dreams but to tell him his forgotten dream, otherwise they would be killed (cf. Dan. 2:12.13).
Joseph's divine gift of dream interpretation led to his recommendation to interpret Pharaoh's dream when no one else could (Gen. 40:8ff: 41:1,8). His commendable track record of solving problems earned him trust and credibility. The principle: commendation precedes recommendation, as people recommend based on their experience, or perception of you. Joseph's faithfulness with his gift ultimately led to the fulfilment of his dreams. Don't neglect your God-given gifts, even when results aren't immediate. Investing them wisely prepares you for future opportunities (Eccl. 9:11).
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, help me to be faithful with the little You give me.
2 I receive grace for self-development in my God-given gifts and skills, in Jesus' name.
3. Pray for CAC Theological Seminary, Opa, Ile-Ife and its off Campuses, the Provost, the Coordinators and the staff as led by the Holy Spirit.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB: 739
4 10 10 10 4
1. Come, labour on!
Who dares stand idle on the harvest plain,
While all around him waves the golden grain?
And to each servant does the
Master say,
"Go, work today!"
2. Come, labour on!
Claim the high calling Angels cannot share,
To young and old the Gospel gladness bear;
Redeem the time: its hours too swiftly fly,
The night draws nigh
3. Come, labour on!
The enemy is watching night and day
To sow the tears, to sn**ch the seed away;
While we in sleep our duty have forgot,
He slumber'd not.
4. Come, labour on!
Away with gloomy doubts and faithless fear!
No arm so weak but may do service here,
By feeblest agents can our God fulfil
His righteous will.
5. Come, labour on!
No time for rest, till glows the western sky,
Till the long shadows o'er our pathway lie,
And a glad sound comes with the setting sun
"Servants, well done!"
6. Come, labour on!
The toil is pleasant, the reward is sure,
Blessed are those who to the end endure;
How full their joy, how deep their rest shall be,
O Lord, with Thee!
Amen.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Daniel 10-12
AUTHOR
CAC, Christian Education Department.
Remain blessed
