Devotion: Joseph – From Slave to Deputy Pharaoh

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The story of Joseph is familiar to many of us because of Sunday School or dramatizations like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This story also helps us see how God was indeed with Joseph and how God prospered Joseph even through some terrible situations.

If you haven’t read chapter 3 of The Story, you could read it, listen to the sermon (see “Resources” below), or read Genesis 37-50 for the whole story.

We sometimes find ourselves in situations where we can’t see a way forward. We can find ourselves in ruts. We may tell ourselves (or be told by others) that God is with us. Yet we may find ourselves questioning why we’re not seeing improvements in our situation: Is it because our faith isn’t strong enough or because God isn’t hearing us or because we’re not doing something right? Notice that Joseph does two things: he uses the gifts and abilities God gave him – most notably, leadership; and he remains faithful, both to God and to who he is. By using his gifts, others see the evidence that God is with Joseph.

Personal Reflections

  • What gifts do you have? These may be things you are particularly good at or things you really enjoy. Are there ways you can use your gifts in a way that others see God at work in your life and know that God is with you?
  • Reflect back on your life. Where has God been at work shaping and forming you … even in the hard times? Are there lessons God was seeking to teach you that you might have missed? Ask for eyes to see them and a heart to receive and learn. Are you facing something tough right now? If God wants to use this experience to grow you, ask for the courage to embrace it.

Prayers

  • Thank God for the hard times that have shaped your character and driven you closer to Him.
  • Pray for Bethel and all congregations doing The Story right now.

Personal Action

  • Forgiveness is one of life’s hardest actions. When someone has really hurt us, it is extremely difficult to forgive. During the next week read Genesis 50:15-21, Matthew 6:9-15, and Matthew 18:21-35. Pray for the courage and strength you need to forgive those who have wronged you. You may find that the most difficult person to forgive ends up being yourself. Meditate on Romans 5:8 and ask God to help you understand the depth of His grace so that you can extend that grace to others as well as to yourself.

Resources

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