8 Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God.

— Genesis 6:8-9

1 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.

2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

— Genesis 12:1-3

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt!

5 And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.

7 God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

— Genesis 45:4-5, 7

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

Human nature is infamously fickle. We tend to present ourselves differently in various scenarios. The way we behave, talk, or treat others at home can differ vastly from the way we interact in the office, at school, in church, or within our friendships. People almost involuntarily conform to who they are expected to be or want to be in particular environments. Belonging to God calls us to live with integrity in every relationship and situation. How we act reflects our deepest convictions about God, ourselves, and the world.

Daniel, one of the Israel exiles in Babylon and Persian empires is a man of God who followed in the footsteps of many heroes of the faith who glorified God as they obediently led and served others.’ Daniel confronted unique situations – exile, ostracism, scheming, and the threat of death – with complete dependence on God. His life proclaimed God’s majesty and magnificence. Daniel’s persistent obedience and faithful response to God reveals His greatness for a particular purpose – to point to the one and only God amid the darkness of an unbelieving world.