Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 41:42, where we read these words:
"Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck."Jacob, Joseph's father, had put a beautiful robe on his favored son (Joseph). Potiphar's wife, seeking to frame Joseph, had kept his garment as alleged evidence of wrongdoing. In prison, Joseph wore clothing unworthy of the pharaoh's audience. But now, the king of Egypt puts royal attire on Joseph.
So it is for all of us who are God's churched children. Our Father's intention is to present us before the whole creation, garbed in Christ and His perfect righteousness. But, before this demonstration, we have to learn the hard les-sons of sin, repentance, and perseverance. Like Joseph, our cross precedes our resurrections in Jesus.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Men void of grace are dead; they have breath, yet lack life. They are walking ghosts, (Eph. 2:1).” —Thomas Watson, in his ser-mon, "The Beauty of Grace"]
