August 2, 2025

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Joseph – Faith That Endures
Devotions from the life of a dreamer with character

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  8.God Is with You in Trouble
When life turns dark – and yet you are not alone

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Introduction

There are times when life feels like a prison – not necessarily made of stone and iron, but of circumstances, worries, or fears. Joseph experienced this literally. Despite his faithfulness and courage, he was falsely accused, convicted, and imprisoned. Yet in the midst of this chapter in his life stands a remarkable statement:
“But the Lord was with Joseph.”

This reminds us that God’s nearness is not dependent on outward circumstances. He does not abandon us in the depths – often, He proves His faithfulness precisely there. This devotional is meant to remind you that hardship does not mean God is absent. On the contrary – God is with you in your trouble.

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Devotional

Genesis 39:21
“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love.”

Joseph was unjustly imprisoned. He had done the right thing – and still fell into darkness. Many in his position would have turned away from God, lost hope, or become bitter. But Joseph reacted differently: he held on to his faith. And more than that – God was with him.

This verse shows us: circumstances do not determine God’s presence. Joseph was outwardly in chains but inwardly carried. While others might have forgotten their calling, Joseph remained faithful – because he knew: God had not forgotten him.

In times of trouble, the foundation of our faith is revealed. Joseph didn’t live in an ideal – he lived in the real. And it was there that his character was revealed. He worked faithfully, served others, and held on to God – not because it was easy, but because he was convinced that God saw him.

God’s presence in the prison didn’t mean Joseph was immediately set free. It meant that he was not alone in the darkness. That reality gives us hope today: even if our problems don’t disappear right away, God is still present. He may not heal everything instantly, but He carries us through it all.

Joseph could have asked, “Why me? Why now?” But the Bible shows us that he didn’t turn these questions into bitterness, but into trust. His story reminds us: the place of trouble can become the place of calling – if we believe that God is with us there.

Sometimes we experience God’s presence not as a flash of light, but as quiet faithfulness. As the strength to carry on. As peace in the storm. That’s how it was for Joseph – and it can be that way for you too.

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What We Can Learn from Joseph

• God’s presence is not tied to outward success. He is with us even in failure, loss, or illness.

• Faithfulness in small things opens doors to greater ones. Joseph stayed faithful in prison – and was later lifted up.

• Not every hardship is punishment. Sometimes it’s training for what God still plans to do.

• God works in hidden ways. Even when we don’t see Him, He is already at work.

Reflection – What Does This Mean for You?

• When did I last experience God’s nearness in the midst of pain?

• What area of my life feels “imprisoned” – and how might I encounter God right there?

• What would change if I truly believed that God is with me – right now?

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And Most Importantly

Joseph was not alone, even though everything said otherwise. God was not just his rescuer, but his companion. And this God hasn’t changed. His presence is just as real today.

Maybe you feel like Joseph in prison: forgotten, unfairly treated, or emotionally drained. This devotional reminds you: You are not alone. God sees you. He is with you – right now.

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Story – “In Room 314”

A story about isolation, hope – and a God who walks hospital hallways.

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Chapter 1 – The Day Everything Went Quiet

Laura was 32 when she got the diagnosis.
A rare autoimmune disease, slowly progressive, incurable.
She was a nurse by profession – and suddenly felt like a helpless child within the very system she used to organize.

Her life had once been structured: early shifts, smiles, patients, home, church.
Now there was only: stillness.
Infusions. Medications. Isolation. Questions.

Hospital room 314 became her home for weeks.
Visitors came – at first. Then fewer.
Her voice on the phone always sounded “positive.” But deep inside, a quiet darkness had settled.

“Where are you, God?” – She asked this silently, more often than aloud.

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Chapter 2 – The Nurse with the Quiet Song

One night, Laura couldn’t sleep. The pain was intense, her thoughts louder still.
She stared at the ceiling, silently crying.

Then she heard a quiet melody in the hallway.
Not from a radio. Not from a device.
A voice.

A night nurse, softly humming. No lyrics – just a simple, calm tune.

Laura pressed the call button.
The nurse entered – dark-skinned, gentle, with a warm smile.
“I didn’t mean to disturb…” Laura said.
“You didn’t disturb,” the nurse replied.
Laura paused, then whispered: “Do you sing often at night?”
The nurse nodded. “Always. I believe God walks hospital hallways too.”

Laura fought back tears.
For the first time in weeks, she didn’t just feel empathy – but nearness. Something divine in the everyday.

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Chapter 3 – The Bible Verse on the Wall

A few days later, Laura noticed a small card on the bulletin board.
She hadn’t seen it before. Someone must have placed it there quietly.
It read:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” – Psalm 34:18

Not “was” close.
Not “will be.”
Is. Now.

The card was small – but it became an anchor.
Laura began to count her days not just by pain, but by small signs: a smile, a call, a ray of sun through the window.

She even started writing a devotional blog – from her bed.
Title: “God in Room 314.”

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Chapter 4 – The Discharge

After two months, she was allowed to go home.
Not healed. Not strong – but strengthened.
The illness remained – but so did her faith.

She later said during a testimony night:

“I didn’t see God – but I heard Him. In songs, in silence, in a Bible verse on the wall.
I was never alone. I thought I was abandoned – but God was with me. Always.”

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Reflections on the Story

• Trouble isolates – but it doesn’t separate us from God.

• God’s presence is often invisible – but felt in small signs.

• It doesn’t take much to bring comfort – a song, a word, a card can heal.

• Even in pain, faith can grow – not through explanation, but through encounter.

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Application

What can I do when I feel trapped in the “cell” of my own trouble?

• Look for small signs of God’s nearness. He often speaks softly.

• Be honest in prayer. Even Joseph and David lamented – and God heard.

• Share your story. Someone needs the comfort you’ve gained through suffering.

• Pray for quiet strength. Not always for escape – sometimes for endurance.

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Prayer

Lord,
I thank You that You are a God who stays.
Even when I don’t see You – You are there.
Even when I don’t feel You – You carry me.

Give me courage today to trust You – even in the fog.
Help me believe that my story continues – even when I see only darkness.
And use my weakness to show Your strength.
Amen.

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Key Thought of the Day

God’s nearness is not a feeling – it’s a fact.
He is with you. In your trouble.
Especially there.

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Blessing to Close

May the Lord bless you with light in dark times.
May He strengthen your heart with hope when your strength fades.
May He let you see that you are never alone –
and that your pain is not the end of your story.
Amen.

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LumenCorde | Daily light for a living soul.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/02-08-2025-%f0%9f%8c%bejoseph-faith-that-carries-you-through-8-god-is-with-you-in-trouble-heart-anchor-youth-devotional/

Lesson 5: Passover
5.6 Summary
Passover: Remembrance of Redemption and Judgment

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Introduction

Passover is much more than a Jewish festival – it is a spiritual foundation for understanding redemption, grace, and divine judgment. In this lesson, we see how God gave His people hope and identity in the midst of plagues and judgments. Through symbols such as the blood of the lamb, unleavened bread, and the shared meal, God’s character is revealed: both just and merciful. These principles are as relevant today as they were then.

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Bible Study

5.1 Another Plague – The Final Warning

The three days of darkness were God’s final invitation to repentance. But Pharaoh’s hardened heart revealed the depth of human rebellion. Moses did not react out of egoistic anger but with divine justice.

5.2 Passover – The Meal of Remembrance and Hope

God prepared His people spiritually before delivering them physically. The command to celebrate the Passover meal was an act of trust, even before the exodus. The blood on the doorposts was a sign of faith – not of works.

5.3 Pesach – Sign of the Blood, Sign of Redemption

Every element of the feast – the blood, the unleavened bread, the bitter herbs – was a foreshadowing of the true Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. The Old Testament salvation became a shadow of the greater redemption through the cross.

5.4 Passing the Torch

Parents were not only to tell stories but to pass on Passover as a living experience. Faith was not transmitted by books alone but through personal participation and remembrance.

5.5 Divine Judgment – When Justice Is Revealed

The tenth plague struck the heart of Egyptian power – the firstborn. It revealed the powerlessness of all idols. God’s judgment was a response to decades of oppression and murder – not arbitrary, but deep justice.

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Spiritual Principles

• God is patient but just.

• Faith is shown through obedience.

• God’s protection is real and tangible.

• Remembrance strengthens faith.

• Judgment is part of redemption.

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Application for Daily Life

• Expect God’s intervention: Even if we are still “in Egypt”, we may already celebrate in faith.

• Set signs: Like the blood on the doorpost – our decisions, words, and actions should reflect our faith.

• Live out traditions: Children learn faith through lived experiences – consciously invite them into spiritual moments.

• Trust God in crises: His grace protects, even when judgment is near.

• Judge justly, not harshly: Like Moses – sorrowful over judgment, not triumphing in it.

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Conclusion

Passover is a call to remembrance, repentance, and hope. It unites judgment with grace and shows: God acts faithfully. The story of Israel is also our story – a story of blood that saves. The exodus from Egypt becomes a picture of our liberation through Jesus Christ. And as then, we are not only to receive but also to pass it on.

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Thought of the Day

“God’s grace protects us from judgment – not because we are worthy, but because the blood of the Lamb speaks.”

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Illustration – – The Night of the Lanterns

How a Child Carried the Light in a Dark City

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Chapter 1 – The Silent Festival

Chengdu, South China – Spring 2022

The city was full of colors, but in Meilin’s heart it was quiet. In the narrow alleys of the old town, lanterns hung in rows, children ran laughing with flickering lights through the night, and everywhere the scent of sticky rice balls and roasted sesame filled the air.

But for Meilin, nothing was like it used to be. Since her mother’s death, the house had been quiet. Her father was far away, somewhere on a construction site in the desert. Only Grandma Lin remained – with old songs and stories that felt like faded ink paintings.

“Tonight is not just the Lantern Festival,” Grandma whispered, “It is also the night of deliverance.”

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Chapter 2 – The Forgotten Blood

The Story of a People – and a Grandmother

Meilin watched as Lin took down the red silk cloth from the shelf. Inside was a worn Chinese New Testament, filled with handwritten notes in fine script.

“In Egypt,” Lin began, “a people were in bondage. And God sent signs, warnings… and finally – judgment. But He told them: ‘Mark your door with the blood of a lamb. Then the angel of death will pass over you.’”

Meilin swallowed. “That sounds… harsh.”

Lin nodded. “Yes. But it wasn’t an angry God. It was a just God. And He gave a way out – the blood. A sign of trust.”

“Like a code?” Meilin asked.

“No,” Lin said softly. “Like a decision. Faith made visible.”

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Chapter 3 – The Red Lantern

An Ancient Sign in a New Time

That night, as the power went out in parts of the city, Meilin remembered her grandmother’s words. The lanterns flickered, some went out completely.

Lin suddenly stood up, took a piece of red ribbon from her old sewing box, and tied it outside on the door.

“Like back then,” she said.

Meilin watched. “Do you really think it helps?”

“It’s not the ribbon that helps,” Lin answered, “but it reminds me whom we trust.”

Soon after, a radio alert announced a gas leak in a nearby district – an explosion had damaged several homes, just a few streets away.

“Why not us?” Meilin asked.

“Maybe… because God sees us,” Lin whispered. “And because tonight, you are the one carrying the light.”

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Chapter 4 – The Child Who Carried the Light

Faith in Motion

The next day Meilin decided to take the red ribbon with her to school. Some kids laughed. Others asked questions.

“Is it for a project?” the teacher asked.

“No,” Meilin said, “It’s… a sign. That I believe God protects. Like He did my people – and maybe even me – on that night.”

The teacher, a quiet woman, looked at Meilin for a long time. Then she whispered, “My grandmother told me the same story. But I had forgotten it.”

That evening, Meilin asked her grandmother to celebrate Passover with her. Not like in Egypt, not with lamb and herbs. But with a silent prayer, a piece of bread – and a new light.

They lit a lantern. And this time, it burned for more than tradition.

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Chapter 5 – Living Memory

Passing on the Torch

Months passed. Her father returned. The house was small, but now full of life. Every year at the Lantern Festival, Meilin and her grandmother tied a red ribbon on the door.

It became a family sign – not against misfortune, but for faith. And every time someone asked, Meilin told her story: of a dark night, an old memory – and a God who saves.

She had understood: God’s grace is like the light in the lantern – visible, carryable, passable.

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Final Thought

The red ribbon was no magic – it was a confession.
Like the blood on the doorposts: a sign of trust in the God who still sees, saves, and reminds.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-5-passover-5-6-summary-%f0%9f%8c%8a-exodus-living-faith/

01 August 2025

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BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
Daily Bible Reading

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Leviticus 17 – Life Is in the Blood
Holiness, purity, and the only place of atonement

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Bible Text – Leviticus 17 (KJV)

¹ And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

² Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them; This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded, saying,

³ What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp,

⁴ And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people:

⁵ To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the Lord, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the Lord.

⁶ And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the Lord.

⁷ And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.

⁸ And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice,

⁹ And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the Lord; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.

¹⁰ And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.

¹¹ For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

¹² Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.

¹³ And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust.

¹⁴ For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.

¹⁵ And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.

¹⁶ But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.

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Introduction

In Leviticus 17, God gives a series of commandments regarding the correct place for sacrifices and how to handle blood and unclean meat. What may seem ritualistic and distant at first glance reveals deep spiritual truths: it’s about the holiness of God, the need for atonement – and ultimately, the gospel itself.

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Commentary

1. The Place of Sacrifice – Only Before the Lord (Verses 1–9)

God makes it clear that all sacrifices—even private slaughters—must take place only at one specific location: the entrance to the tent of meeting.

Why? Because offering sacrifices is not a private act, but a holy one, meant to follow God’s order.

What’s behind this?
God protects His people from false worship, from idolatry (v.7 “goat demons”), and from self-directed spirituality.

Spiritual Principle:
True worship has a divinely appointed place—then it was the tabernacle, today it is Jesus Christ, the only Mediator.

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2. Blood – Carrier of Life (Verses 10–14)

God strictly forbids the consumption of blood. The reason is deeply spiritual:

Life is in the blood.
The blood was placed on the altar to bring atonement.
It is holy and must not be treated as ordinary.

Gospel Insight:
This passage prophetically points to Jesus’ sacrifice:

“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22).
Only the blood of Christ brings true and eternal reconciliation.

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3. Carcasses and Torn Animals – Purity and Responsibility (Verses 15–16)

Anyone who eats a carcass or an animal torn by wild beasts becomes unclean. But there is a way back to purity:

Washing, cleansing, waiting until evening.

However, whoever ignores this remains guilty.

Practical Point:
Sin defiles. But God offers cleansing—if we take His order seriously.

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Summary

God determines where and how worship and sacrifice are to happen.
Blood is holy—because it carries life and has been divinely appointed for atonement.
Impurity through disobedient handling of God’s commands separates,
but cleansing is possible if we return and obey.

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Message for Us Today

This chapter calls us to reverence for what is holy.
We no longer live under the Old Testament sacrificial law, but the principle still holds:

There is only one place of atonement – Jesus Christ.
Only His blood makes clean (1 John 1:7).
God does not want us to “sacrifice spiritually anywhere,” but to come to Him—on His terms.

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Reflection Questions

Where might I be trying to bring “my own sacrifice” instead of trusting Jesus?

Have I truly received the gospel of Christ’s blood—with both heart and mind?

What does it mean today to live in purity and reverence before God?

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27 July – 2 August 2025

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BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
Weekly Reading from the Spirit of Prophecy

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Ellen White | Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 20
Joseph in Egypt

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Read online here

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Introduction

Joseph’s life story is one of the most moving accounts in the Old Testament. It shows how God uses suffering, injustice, and severe trials to shape a young man into an instrument of His blessing — not just for one people, but for entire nations. What Joseph experiences reflects divine education, divine faithfulness — and human choice.

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Commentary

1. Brokenness: Loneliness and Loss (The Beginning of the Journey)

Joseph is betrayed by his brothers, sold, and on his way to a foreign land. His childhood, marked by his father’s favoritism, ends abruptly. He experiences deep emotional wounds and total abandonment. But out of this crisis, something new begins to grow. In his loneliness, Joseph decides to trust God — even when he loses everything else.

2. The Conscious Decision for Faithfulness (Turning Point)

Joseph remembers the teachings about the God of his fathers — and makes a conscious decision: he will remain faithful to God, no matter the cost. This decision becomes the defining turning point in his life. He is no longer a victim of his circumstances but a servant of God — even in slavery.

3. Steadfastness in Temptation (Potiphar’s House)

Joseph is tempted by Potiphar’s wife. The decision lies between secret sin or risky faithfulness. Joseph chooses the harder path and asks:
“How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9)
He does not choose out of fear of people but out of reverence for God.

4. Faithfulness in the Dark (The Prison Years)

Joseph is unjustly condemned. Despite deep injustice, he holds firm to his faith. He does not become bitter. Instead of self-pity, he serves others, helps, comforts, interprets dreams. The years in prison become a school of character.

5. The Elevation (At the Royal Court)

God opens the doors at the right time. Joseph is elevated — not by chance, but by divine plan. His wisdom, insight, and faithfulness in small things make him Egypt’s administrator. The former slave becomes Father of the Land (Genesis 41:43). God honors his faithfulness with influence and responsibility.

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Summary

Joseph’s journey takes him from his father’s tent, through slavery and prison, all the way to the Pharaoh’s court. In every phase, Joseph remains faithful to his God — not because it was easy, but because it was right. His strength of character and faith make him an instrument in God’s hands.

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Message for Us Today

God’s guidance is not always visible — but it is always faithful.

Trials reveal our character.

He who honors God in the small things will be entrusted with greater things.

Worldly success is empty without the fear of God — but through reverence for God, success gains lasting value.

Character is shaped in daily life, through small decisions, in the unseen.

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Reflection Question

Where am I right now on my “Joseph journey”? In the pit? In Potiphar’s house? In prison? Or in elevation?

What keeps me from remaining faithful to God under all circumstances?

Is my integrity dependent on external conditions — or on inner conviction?

What “small decisions” today are shaping my character for tomorrow?

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LuxVerbi | The light of the Word. The clarity of faith.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/01-08-2025-%f0%9f%94%a5leviticus-chapter-17-believe-his-prophets/

August 1, 2025

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Joseph – Faith That Endures
Devotions from the life of a dreamer with character

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7.Faith Instead of Grudge
When you’ve been hurt – and still choose to trust rather than repay

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Introduction

Joseph had every reason to become bitter.
His brothers had betrayed him.
He had lost everything – because of the jealousy of those who should have protected him.
And yet: he didn’t let bitterness take root in his heart.

Where others might have plotted revenge, Joseph chose a different path – a path of trust in God, not bitterness toward people.

This devotion highlights one of the hardest – and holiest – choices a person can make:
To respond to injustice with faith – not with retaliation.

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Devotional

Genesis 50:19–20
“But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’”

Joseph stands before his brothers – the very brothers who once hated him, robbed him, betrayed him, and sold him. They are helpless, afraid, expectant. Perhaps they now anticipate revenge. But Joseph responds with a sentence that opens the heavens:

“Am I in the place of God?”

This sentence is more than humility – it’s a spiritual decision, a rejection of revenge, a clear stance:
I will not presume to judge your fate. That belongs to God.

Joseph wasn’t naive. He knew pain. He had suffered for years because of others’ sin – in the pit, in slavery, in prison. His forgiveness wasn’t a cheap “let it go,” but a choice to let God be greater than the injustice.

Forgiveness is not a feeling – it is an act of faith.
It says:
“I release the right to take revenge – because I trust that God’s justice is enough.”

Joseph didn’t live in the past – even though it had shaped him.
He lived in God’s presence.
And that was his source of strength.

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What We Can Learn from Joseph

• You can live by grace – even if you’ve gone through injustice.
  Joseph didn’t become bitter because he focused on God’s hand, not just people’s behavior.

• Your witness begins when you don’t react as expected.
  Revenge would have made sense. But grace was divine. That’s what stood out. Joseph didn’t testify with words – but with his response.

• God writes stories bigger than our pain.
  Joseph’s suffering wasn’t the end – it was the instrument through which God saved many.
  What others use against you, God can use for something greater.

• You don’t have to approve of injustice in order to forgive.
  Joseph didn’t say, “What you did was okay.”
  He said, “It was evil – but God turned it around.”
  Forgiveness doesn’t minimize the wrong – it places it in God’s hands.

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Reflection – What Does This Mean for You?

• What would it mean for me to no longer want to be judge – but leave it to God?

• Where do I see God’s hand when I look back on my own wounds?

• Is there someone I need to forgive today – not because they deserve it, but because I want to be free?

And most importantly:

Joseph could have become a bitter man.
He had every reason.
But he chose the path of trust – a path that isn’t easy, but is full of healing.

Maybe that means for you today:

• Not striking back when provoked.

• Not speaking badly of someone who disappointed you.

• Not demanding justice – but building on grace.

Because the truth is:
What hurt you doesn’t have to define you.
God can turn it into something that not only heals you – but also saves others.

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Story – “When My Heart Learned to Forgive”

A story about guilt, silence – and an unexpected phone call.

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Chapter 1 – The Door Slammed Shut

Eva was 23 the last time she spoke to her sister.
She had said a sentence she could never take back:
“You’re dead to me.”

It had been a fight over their parents’ house. Inheritance issues, misunderstandings, wounded egos. Her sister Miriam had taken care of their ailing mother – but Eva felt left out.
Bitterness grew inside her like a silent vine.

After their mother’s funeral, they went their separate ways. No letters. No calls. No looking back.
But even after ten years, the silence still hurt.

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Chapter 2 – The Sermon She Didn’t Want to Hear

By now, Eva was a teacher, married, mother of two.
She attended church every Sunday – but this Sunday was different.

The pastor preached about forgiveness.
Not vaguely, not abstractly – but directly.

“Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting the wrong.
Forgiveness means letting God be the judge – and placing your right to revenge in His hands.”

Eva sat frozen.
Her heart pounded. Her stomach clenched.
Miriam.
The name she had avoided for years came rushing back – in thoughts, in emotions, in memories.

At the end of the sermon, the pastor read Joseph’s famous words:

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” (Genesis 50:20)

Eva couldn’t stay in her seat.
She walked out – but the sentence stayed with her.

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Chapter 3 – The Call She Couldn’t Make

For a week, she wrestled inwardly.
Her husband noticed and gently asked.
“If you want, I’ll go with you,” he said.

But Eva shook her head.
“I don’t even know if she’d listen.”
“Then at least call her.”
“I don’t even have her number anymore.”
“Then Google it.”

A few days later, she had the number – and the phone in her hand.
She dialed – and hung up. Three times.
On the fourth try, it went to voicemail. She was about to hang up – but suddenly, she spoke:

“Miriam… it’s Eva.
I… I don’t know if you’re hearing this.
Or if you even want to hear what I have to say.
But I just wanted to say:
I’m sorry. For the fight. For the years. For the words.
I was hurt – but I hurt you.
I hope you’re well.
I just wanted you to know that.”

✦ ─────────────── ✦ ─────────────── ✦

Chapter 4 – The Message

Two days later, her phone buzzed.
A text message.
From Miriam.

“I heard your message.
I don’t know what to say.
I’m crying right now.
I’ve thought about you so often.
Maybe we could… talk?”

Eva sat with the phone in her hand for a long time.
Then she replied:

“I’d really love to talk.”

✦ ─────────────── ✦ ─────────────── ✦

Chapter 5 – The Visit

A few weeks later, they sat across from each other.
The first moment was awkward, distant.
Then they cried.
For a long time.
Without words.

They talked for hours. About misunderstandings. About pain.
About what they had lost – and what they still had.

At the end, Miriam quietly said:

“I’ve prayed many times that you would reach out.
I could’ve never done it myself.
But God… God can soften even the hardest hearts.”

Eva nodded – and whispered:

“Bitterness had me in chains.
But grace opened the door.”

✦ ─────────────── ✦ ─────────────── ✦

Chapter 6 – What Remains

Today, they meet regularly.
Not everything is like before. But it’s real.
They’re moving slowly. Honestly. But together.

Eva sometimes says in her women’s group:

“Forgiveness doesn’t heal overnight.
But it begins with one step – one prayer, one phone call, one open heart.”

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What We Can Learn from This

• Bitterness feels like protection at first – but quickly becomes a burden.

• Forgiveness isn’t a guarantee of a perfect relationship – but it makes healing possible.

• God’s grace doesn’t wait for ideal circumstances – it shows up in the middle of our mess, if we make room for it.

• You don’t need to be strong to forgive – you just need to be willing to be led.

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Application

Joseph shows us:
You can forgive without forgetting.
You can heal without denying the wound.
And you can choose faith – even when your heart is still hurting.

Ask yourself:

• Who has hurt me – and am I still holding on to it?

• Do I believe God can bring good even from betrayal?

• What would it look like to trust God more than my pain?

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Practical Steps for Today

• Write down a name – someone who hurt you.
  Pray for them – not to excuse, but to release.

• Read Genesis 50 and underline Joseph’s response.
  Ask yourself: Could I say the same?

• Ask God to show you your story from His perspective – not just your own.

• If possible: take one small step toward reconciliation – even if only in your heart.

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Prayer

Lord,
you see what I can hardly let go.
You know the people I struggle to forgive.
You’re aware of the silent bitterness in my heart.

But I don’t want to stay trapped.
I want to trust you more than my emotions.
Give me the courage to release.
The faith to believe you can heal, restore, and redeem even the hardest moments.
Amen.

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Key Thought of the Day

What others meant for evil – God can turn for good.

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Blessing to Close

May the Lord free your heart from hidden bitterness.
May He exchange the weight of resentment for the lightness of grace.
May He give you strength to forgive –
and courage to trust again.
He sees your pain.
And He honors your faithfulness – even where you’ve been wounded.

────────────────────────────────

LumenCorde | Daily light for a living soul.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/01-08-2025-%f0%9f%8c%bejoseph-faith-that-carries-you-through-7-faith-instead-of-grudge-heart-anchor-youth-devotional/

Lesson 5: Passover
5.5 The Divine Judgment
Divine Judgment – When Justice Is Revealed

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Introduction

The tenth and final plague was the climax of God’s intervention against Egypt’s oppressive system. What began as a promise of liberation now finds its radical fulfillment: the Egyptian firstborn die – a deeply shocking but justified judgment.

Why did God strike the firstborn specifically? What does that tell us about justice, retribution – but also hope? And what does it mean for us today, in a world full of injustice, pain, and consequences?

This lesson brings us to a point where we begin to grasp the weight of sin and the depth of divine justice – and at the same time realize: salvation comes through the blood of a lamb.

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Bible Study: Exodus 12:29–30 + Hebrews 11:28

Theme: “The Judgment on the Firstborn – Final Consequence or Final Chance?”

Text Base: Exodus 12:29–30 / Hebrews 11:28 / Exodus 1:16–22 / Exodus 15:11 / Exodus 18:11

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1. Historical and Biblical Context

The story of the ten plagues is not a myth or a fable – it is God’s direct confrontation with a system of oppression that defied life, freedom, and truth.

Pharaoh was more than just a man – he embodied a divinely legitimized system of power that enslaved his own people and others. The tenth plague was not only directed at Pharaoh himself, but at everything he represented:

• Power without justice

• Religion without truth

• Progress without regard for life

God’s decision to strike the firstborn was not cruel – but consistent. It was the final step, after God had warned, waited, and called out nine times before.

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2. Why the Firstborn?

In ancient Near Eastern culture, the firstborn carried the family’s legacy, identity, and hope. They symbolized:

• The future of the family

• The continuation of the lineage

• The pride and status of the parents

In Egypt, this had religious implications:

• Pharaoh’s son was considered divine

• Goddesses like Isis, Heqet, and the god Min were seen as protectors of life, fertility, and children

So the tenth plague was:

• A blow to Egypt’s religious foundations

• An exposure of the gods’ powerlessness

• A reflection of Egypt’s own sin – they had murdered Israel’s firstborn (see Exodus 1:16–22)

God’s judgment is never arbitrary – it is both mirror and response.
What a person sows, that will they also reap.

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3. Passover as a Gift of Grace in the Midst of Judgment

God could have judged without warning.
But instead, He offers salvation – through a sacrifice, a lamb, through faith and obedience.

Passover was:

• A sign of faith – not understanding saved them, but trusting did

• A sign of separation – those who obeyed were under divine protection

• A sign of redemption – not through effort, but through the lamb’s blood (Hebrews 11:28)

➤ Protection from destruction didn’t depend on origin, status, or knowledge – only on the blood.

Parallel to the gospel:
Jesus is our Passover Lamb (see 1 Corinthians 5:7).
Only His blood saves us from eternal judgment.
Yes, God judges – but He offers protection first.

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4. The Character of God in Judgment

We must learn to see God not only as “loving” – but as holy, just, slow to anger, and rich in mercy.

God is no tyrant – but He is also not a passive observer.

In Exodus 12:29–30, we see:

• God’s resolve – He acts when the time is right

• God’s control – He chooses the target (firstborn), the time (midnight), the scope (all of Egypt)

• God’s patience – He had warned them nine times before

• God’s grace – He offered a way of salvation beforehand

God does not judge out of anger – but out of justice.
And His justice is never separate from His mercy.

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5. Judgment as a Response to Systemic Sin

The tenth plague did not strike only individual sinners – but an entire system, which over generations had:

• Killed children

• Enslaved peoples

• Ignored the voice of God

God’s judgment strikes structures – not just actions.
This is true today too:

• Systems that destroy life (human trafficking, environmental abuse, exploitation)

• Systems that suppress truth (propaganda, censorship, persecution)

• Systems that prioritize power over people

God does not remain silent – at some point, He speaks through events, upheaval, and judgment.

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6. What Does This Have to Do with Us?

The story of the ten plagues is not just history – it is prophecy.

Even today, there are modern-day Pharaohs – in politics, economics, ideology.

Even today, innocent blood cries out from the ground to God.

Even today, God offers protection – but not forever.

The real question is:
“Am I under the protection of the Lamb – or living in my own strength?”

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7. The Deep Truth of Passover

God saves through substitution.

An innocent dies – so the guilty may live.
A lamb sheds its blood – so destruction passes by.

What happened literally in Egypt happens spiritually today:
Whoever trusts in Christ is no longer under condemnation – but under grace.

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8. Spiritual Lessons for Today

• Judgment is real – but never without warning

• Faith is shown through obedience

• Our decisions deeply impact others

• No idol, no technology, no achievement can save – only the blood of Jesus

• God’s goal is always salvation – never destruction

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Final Thoughts

The tenth plague may be one of the hardest stories in the Bible – but it is also one of the clearest revelations of the gospel.

God judges – yes.
But first, He calls.
He warns.
He offers salvation.
He waits.

But when the measure is full, He acts – justly, righteously, and decisively.

What does this mean for you today?
Are you ready?
Are you under the protection?
Or are you deaf to God’s warnings?

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Answers to the Questions

Question 1: Why the Firstborn?

God’s decision to strike the firstborn in the tenth plague was not random or cruel – it was deeply symbolic, just, and purposeful. It was the final step in a long process of divine warnings, patience, and mercy.

In ancient society, the firstborn:

• Carried the blessing

• Represented the family’s hope

• Were heirs and symbols of the future

In Egypt, the firstborn had divine significance:
Pharaoh’s firstborn was considered the son of a god. Pharaoh himself was seen as the incarnation of gods like Ra or Horus.

Striking the firstborn exposed the powerlessness of Egypt’s religion. Gods like:

• Isis (protector of children)

• Heqet (goddess of birth)

• Min (god of fertility)

– all were powerless to save. The plague was a judgment on Egypt’s gods, not just its people (see Exodus 12:12).

It was also a response to the killing of Israel’s sons by Pharaoh (Exodus 1).
This was not vengeance – but restorative justice:
“What a man sows, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

But God did not act without restraint: He gave nine chances to repent – nine warnings. Only after all were rejected did judgment fall.

It struck at:

• The heart of Egyptian identity

• The pride and religious arrogance of the system

• The Pharaoh’s god-like self-image

And it stood for the sake of the oppressed – those whose children had been killed.

Hebrews 11:28 reminds us that Moses, by faith, kept the Passover so that “the destroyer would not touch the firstborn.” God’s judgment makes a distinction – and obedience through faith brings protection.

Israel was not better – but they trusted the blood of the Lamb.

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Question 2: How Have Others Suffered from Your Sins?

This question invites honest reflection – not as theory, but personal experience.

How have we suffered from others’ sins?

• We’ve been lied to – and trust broke

• Wounded by harsh words

• Abandoned or disappointed by loved ones

• Hurt by injustice – in families, workplaces, or society

Some wounds heal slowly, or never fully. They shape our view of people – and sometimes, of God.

But also:

How have others suffered from our sins?

• We spoke impatiently when someone needed comfort

• Acted selfishly when someone relied on us

• Crossed lines that hurt someone’s dignity

Our actions leave marks – seen or unseen.
God knows every consequence.

Sin is never private – it spreads like a virus.
It hurts the guilty – and also the innocent (as in the tenth plague).

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Our Only Hope?

Not in self-help.
Not in remorse.
Not in trying to earn justice.

Our only hope is what Israel had:

• A lamb

• Blood on the door

• A sacrifice that dies in our place

Jesus Christ is our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).
His blood speaks life, not death.
It protects us not just from earthly destruction – but from eternal judgment.
It covers our guilt – and heals the wounds others caused us.

God’s grace means:
– I am not forever defined by my failures.
– I can receive forgiveness – and extend it.
– I don’t have to live in bitterness – but seek reconciliation through God’s help.

Our hope is not “improvement” – but redemption.
And it is a gift – to all who step under the blood by faith.

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Summary of Both Questions

• God’s judgment on the firstborn was just, necessary, and intentional

• It was the final act after immense patience and mercy

• The firstborn symbolized Egypt’s power and pride – the core was struck

• Passover was the way to salvation – through blood, not merit

• Our only hope today is also in Christ’s sacrifice

• Sin has consequences – but grace has the final word

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Spiritual Principles

• God’s judgment is just and specific – never arbitrary

• Sin has consequences – for us and others

• Idols – even modern ones – are powerless in times of crisis

• Mercy and protection are found only under the Lamb’s blood

• Faith acts – it’s not enough to know truth; we must live it

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Application for Daily Life

• Reflect honestly: What decisions of yours have harmed others? Ask God (and possibly people) for forgiveness

• If you’re suffering because of others: Bring your pain to God – He sees the injustice and will act

• Identify modern idols: success, control, security, image – they can’t save you

• Trust in Christ – actively, daily, with gratitude

• In suffering, remember: God sees you – and His judgment also brings hope for the oppressed

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Conclusion

The tenth plague was God’s judgment – clear, just, and inescapable.
But it was also a signal of protection for those under the blood of the Lamb.

The question is not if judgment will come –
but where will you stand when it does?

Only under God’s protection is there safety.
And only there does true hope begin.

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Thought of the Day

“What a man sows, he will reap. But through Christ, even the seeds of guilt can grow into a harvest of grace.”

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Illustration – “When the Light Fell Silent”

A story about guilt, grace, and rescue through the blood – from South Africa

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Chapter 1 – The Inheritance

Mossel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa. The ocean glittered as if God had scattered diamonds across the water. But further inland, beyond the tourist roads, a different reality unfolded – one of townships, corrugated metal shacks, crumbling schools, and endless clinic lines.

Dumisani Mahlangu, 48, was the most powerful man in the province.
CEO of KuhleChem, a corporation producing pesticides, genetically modified crops, and cheap agricultural chemicals.
He was the son of an anti-apartheid hero – and yet, he was now accused of everything his father had once resisted: exploitation, corruption, oppression.

“It’s for economic growth,” Dumisani would say in interviews.
“If we don’t produce, Africa starves.”

His son Sipho, 17, was his pride and joy. Bright. Athletic. Respected.
He was to inherit the company, carry on the family legacy. Sipho was his firstborn – his heir.

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Chapter 2 – The Voice from the Desert

In a small town called Riverside, just 40 kilometers away, lived a quiet, unassuming pastor:
Themba Ndlovu – a man with a raspy voice, a deeply lined face, and a Bible so worn its edges crumbled like dust.

He had spent years in prison – not for crimes, but for resisting illegal land seizures by corporations.
Now he lived simply, running a small community center, leading Bible classes for children – often beneath the shadow of a scorched, ancient acacia tree.

Themba did not preach loudly – but every word struck deeply:

“When the blood of children cries from the ground, God will answer.”
“When money becomes god, we lose our humanity.”
“When the firstborn die, it is not because God is cruel – but because we mocked Him too long.”

No one laughed.
But many went silent.

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Chapter 3 – The Fog

In April, the fog came. First as a weather phenomenon – then as a metaphor.

Around the plantations of Mossel Bay, children started falling ill – skin rashes, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating.
Local doctors blamed stress and poverty.

But Themba knew more. He had seen lab reports – confidential, anonymous, explosive.
A new chemical additive from KuhleChem had leaked – accidentally or deliberately, no one knew.
But the poison crept into ventilation systems, rivers, wells – it reached even supermarket produce.

The government remained silent.

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Chapter 4 – The Night

It was June 16th – Youth Day in South Africa.
In memory of the Soweto students who once protested apartheid.

That night, a large celebration took place at the coastal park.
Sipho Mahlangu stood on stage – microphone in hand, surrounded by friends, cameras, applause.

At exactly midnight, he collapsed.

No gunshots. No accident. No murder.

Just a sudden stop of breath.
Then the heart.
Then silence.

Sipho was dead.

Minutes later, more teenagers collapsed – all firstborn sons and daughters of KuhleChem executives, politicians, investors.
Nine.
Then twelve.
Eventually seventeen.

Medical exams revealed nothing. No cause. No explanation.

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Chapter 5 – The Cry

The next morning:

Sirens howling for hours.
Funeral processions.
TVs displaying only black screens.

And then – a social media post from Pastor Themba:

“The angel passed through the land.
Those under the blood were spared.”
(Exodus 12:29)

It was shared 20 million times.

Some demanded his arrest.
Others knelt in the dirt and wept.

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Chapter 6 – The Turning

On the following Sunday, Dumisani Mahlangu appeared at Pastor Themba’s small church.

Not in a suit.
Not with bodyguards.
Only with his son’s shoes in his hands.

“I thought I could control everything,” he whispered.
“But I lost the one thing that mattered most.”

Themba was silent for a moment. Then he replied:

“Your son was not the punishment.
He was the sign.
You sacrificed other children on the altar of profit –
and now the system has taken your own.
But it’s not too late.
Not for you.
Not for this land.
If you come under the blood – you can begin again.”

Dumisani knelt.
For the first time in his life.

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Chapter 7 – The Lamb

Six months later, KuhleChem was dismantled.
Dumisani publicly released all internal documents.
He sold his assets, created a fund for environmental restoration, and began helping build new schools in rural communities.

Pastor Themba started teaching about the “blood of the Lamb” – not as a symbol, but as real protection in a self-destructive world.

On the wall of his church hung a note written by a child:

“God didn’t kill first.
He warned first.
And then He saved.”

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Core Message of the Story

God still speaks today –
Through disasters,
Through lost children,
Through brave voices.

He does not judge out of anger – but out of love.
Not to destroy – but to save.

When modern systems become like Egypt – powerful, proud, and blind to justice – God will not remain silent.

But before He judges, He always sends a sign,
a sacrifice,
a lamb.

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The Final Question

Are we under the blood?
Or are we still trusting in power, money, and control?

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-5-passover-5-5-the-divine-judgment-%f0%9f%8c%8a-exodus-living-faith/