Genesis 41:14
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.
INSIGHT
-Change is written as shanah in Hebrew & it means mutation, alteration, variation, modification, substitution & turning. It is an act or process through which something/ someone becomes different which is influenced by internal or external factors to modify action or belief. Change fixes the past while transformation influences the future. God is a God of change but He never changes.
-Joseph’s life had been a tragedy since the time his own brothers stripped him off his coloured coat & threw him into a pit. Since then, his life was at a low as he lived in a pit/ dungeon & kept an untrimmed beard signifying mourning. When Pharaoh dreamt & summoned him, he knew it was time for transformation having waiting long for this opportunity. In preparation to meet the king, he shaved & changed his raiment. He was later clothed in garments of fine linen, a gold chain around his neck & Pharaoh gave him his own signet ring. Change of clothing was therefore very significant to Joseph’s life. It was a unique way of presentation, strategy to boost his confidence, a change in status to kingship & a symbol of authority. His name was also changed to Zaphnath-Paaneah, was given Asenath daughter of the priest of On in marriage & became second in command at the age of thirty. The signet ring meant that he had power to do anything he wished by endorsing the ring as a sign-off in letters which could not be questioned. When Joseph addressed Pharaoh, he was quick to mention that God will reveal his dream & not his own power. The righteous have many afflictions but the Lord delivers them (Psa 34:19).
PRAYER
We humbly beseech You Father, with thanksgiving in our hearts, our Lord & King. You are the same yesterday, today & forever. We call on You to deliver us from all our afflictions in our lives, families & nation. Just as You changed Joseph’s life from captivity to kingship, we believe that You are transforming our lives in Your own ways. Guide us & lead us in Your wisdom & truth all the days of our lives. Amen
Exodus 13:17-18
Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.
INSIGHT
-Israelites had gotten comfortable in Egypt despite their oppression. At some point they complained to Moses for lack of food in the wilderness & mentioned that they ate meat & bread to their fill while they were in Egypt (Exo 16:3). God led them through the wilderness even though it was a longer route lest they change their minds & went back to Egypt upon experiencing war in their fierce rivals territory, the Philistines. Scientists have attempted to explain human behaviour in occurrences of change using the cognitive appraisal theories. The human brain most times think of change as a threat to their comfort especially when they did not expect it & there is uncertainty of control. Comfort is self destructive since without change our lives seldom advance & our past success limits of next blessing when we get comfortable. In 1 Cor 10:13, we see that, no temptation has overtaken us for God is faithful & will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. A change of mind set is inevitable when are inclined to God. He establishes us in faith for He is faithful in all things.
PRAYER
We thank You Father for this far You have brought us. You have journeyed with us since we were born up to now, we praise You. Increase our faith so that we may adopt to the change You bestow unto us. May You help us to renew our minds & may Your blessings be evidenced in our lives, families, friends, neighbours & our country. All glory belong to You always. Amen
Ecclesiastes 3:1
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
INSIGHT
-Time & seasons define change. Seasons give an indication that nothing is permanent in life. There is a time for every purpose on earth. E.g. During winter we plant crops to harvest when summer comes. We also wear warm clothes to avoid getting sick. This happens in all areas of life & preparation for change is key. Planning & management of time & change defines our direction in life as the Lord leads us. When we place God at the centre of our lives & commit our works to Him, He will establish our thoughts (Prov 16:3). When what we are doing is no longer effective, we need to change. When people around us cause an irritation than a blessing, we need to change. When our efforts cause stress on us instead of blessings, we need to change. The most effective form of change is prayer. Through prayer, God opens many closed doors & leads us in His wisdom. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Rom 8:14).
PRAYER
Blessed be God our Father, blessed be His holy name, blessed be His glorious works in all the earth. We come to You Father, with humility in our hearts asking for the gift of wisdom. Establish our thoughts & help us to discern time & seasons so that every purpose You have for us may be fulfilled. We thank You & praise You. Amen
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
INSIGHT
-Christ renews us into new creations exposing us to new things. Just like in Eze 36:26, when God promised to give us a new heart; a heart of flesh & put a new spirit within us. When we have been converted by Christ it is no longer us who live, but Christ lives in us & the life which we now live in the flesh we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us & gave Himself for us (Gal 2:20).
PRAYER
We thank You Father, for Your loving kindness & tender mercies upon our lives. We thank You for renewing our hearts & minds into new beings. Lead us not into temptations & deliver us from all evil. Abide in us always Father, we need You. Amen
Matthew 16:28
“Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
INSIGHT
-Apostle Paul expounds on a mystery put across by Christ that we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be change in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (1 Cor 15:51-52). The sting of death is sin; but Christ died for our sins & has taken out this sting giving us victory. We read in the Old Testament that prophet Elijah never tasted death for he was carried to heaven by a chariot. We should always believe in Gods word for He works in mysterious ways, His love for us is everlasting thus we don’t labour in vain.
SUMMARY
-Change is written as shanah in Hebrew & it means mutation, alteration, substitution & turning. It is a process through which something/ someone transforms by influence of internal or external factors which modify action or belief. Time & seasons define change where seasons indicate that nothing is permanent in life. There is a time for every purpose on earth. Planning & management of time & change defines our direction in life as the Lord leads us. When we place God at the centre of our lives & commit our works to Him, He will establish our thoughts & ways. The most effective form of change is prayer. Through prayer, God opens many doors & leads us in His wisdom. While in Egypt, the Israelites got comfortable despite their oppression. At some point they complained to Moses for lack of food in the wilderness & mentioned that they used to eat meat & bread to their fill while they were in Egypt (Exo 16:3). God led them through the wilderness even though it was a longer route lest they change their minds & went back to Egypt upon experiencing war in the Philistines territory. Scientists have attempted to explain human behaviour in occurrences of change using the cognitive appraisal theories. They explain that the human brain often think of change as a threat to their comfort especially when they did not expect it thus uncertainty of control. Comfort is self destructive since without change our lives seldom advance & our past success limits of next blessing. Change is inevitable when we are inclined to God. He establishes us in faith & shifts us into new frontiers of life as He wills. Joseph experienced a shift in life when pharaoh had a dream & summoned him. Having lived in a dungeon for a long time, he knew time for transformation had finally come. In preparation to meet the king, he shaved & changed his raiment. Pharaoh later clothed him in garments of fine linen which was symbolic. In the same way, those who overcomes will be clothed in white garments & their names maintained in the Book of life to inherit eternity with our Father (Rev 3:5). As we journey in Christ, He renews our minds, hearts & spirits & makes us new. Once we have been converted by Christ it is no longer us who live but Christ lives in us & the life which we now live in the flesh we live by faith in Him, who loved us & gave Himself for us (Gal 2:20).
PRAYER
We love You our Father, Who dwells in our heart’s. Cleanse us from all iniquity & strengthen us in following Your will so that we may make a positive impact in our families, neighbourhoods & the society at large. Create in us clean hearts, minds & spirits, we implore You. All glory honour, power, riches, wisdom & strength belong to You forever. Amen