Daily Devotion - Genesis 37

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This morning's time with God was spent in Genesis 37. It is the story of young Joseph (adored by his father & hated by his brothers). It is the story of a teenage boy who went from being the spoiled, favored son to being sold into slavery by his brothers. While I am trying to obtain truths from this passage, it is hard to stay focused on this chapter because I know the rest of the story. I know how it ends and I know how God used all the dysfunction and selfishness and injustice coming from this family to accomplish His will and bless His people. The statement that Joseph ends up making to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good...", is where my mind keeps going. I love this verse because I have experienced it in my own life. Glory be to God, alone!!! The peace and beauty and growth that He brings from our pain, rejections, and failures can only be described as miraculous. So where ever you find yourself this morning, know that God has NOT abandoned you. There is more to your story and if you will allow Him, God will make it beautiful. You have to quit waiting for people to treat you right. You have to quit focusing on your pain. You have to quit putting off living until that loved one loves you back. You have to quit focusing on other's mistakes. You have to quit beating yourself up because of your own mistakes. You have to quit waiting until you get it all together to get down to business serving God. You must, absolutely must, bundle all those things that are holding you back and lay them at the feet of Jesus. Trust Him to deal with those who have wronged you. Trust Him to direct your thoughts and actions. Just do what you know to do and that is be obedient to our Master. If He is to be Lord of our lives, then that means He is to be Lord of our emotions and responses. Joseph figured that out early in his life. Joseph has one of the greatest stories in the Bible but that is because he recognized, what others mean for evil, God means for good. This is a scary thing to say, but stand tall. Firmly plant your feet in God's Word. Saturate your day with communication with Him and then look the enemy in the face and say BRING IT ON!! And get ready for him to bring it on. And then fall into the arms of Jesus and watch Him deal. For me, all I can say in this moment is thank you Jesus! Thank you for taking all my messes, all my crazy emotions, all my disappointments and using them for my good.