A guest devotional from our study of Joseph by Phyllis Gregory
This week, I’m honored to share a devotional written by one of the women studying the life of Joseph with us.
One of the beautiful things about studying Scripture together is seeing the different truths and connections God brings to our hearts and minds.
The same passage may speak into our lives in different ways, and when we share what we are learning, we encourage one another to think more deeply and recognize God’s faithfulness in our own stories.
As we walk through Joseph’s life together—in person and on Zoom—I am truly amazed at how God has spoken to different women through His Word.
So, this week, I’m turning the devotional space over to a guest writer from our study. These are her words, her reflections, and her testimony of how Joseph’s story connected Scripture to her own life.
I hope her thoughts encourage you as much as they encouraged me. — Ginger
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”
— Genesis 50:20, ESV
A devotional by Phyllis Gregory
Joseph was hated by his brothers because of jealousy. They planned to get rid of him and eventually sold him to a caravan of traders heading to Egypt.
What his brothers meant for evil, God used for good.
Many of us have experienced the pain of someone acting against us out of jealousy, anger, or selfishness. I have experienced this myself.
I was wrongfully accused by a manager, and the hurt shattered my confidence.
I walked away from the job.
But God was already working behind the scenes.
When I applied for work at a different company, my former coworkers and managers spoke up for me. They testified about my work ethic and abilities, and they confirmed that the accusations had been rooted in jealousy.
I was hired by a new company with better pay and better benefits.
What was meant for evil, God turned into good.
Joseph’s story reminds us that God can take even the darkest circumstances and use them for His purposes.
When Joseph was taken to Egypt, the caravan carrying him was also carrying valuable spices —balm, myrrh, and gum.
Balm — used as a healing ointment. A spiritual picture of God’s ability to heal broken hearts, spiritual sickness, and moral decay.
Myrrh — used in sacred anointing oil and also used in preparing bodies for burial.
Gum — used with fragrant spices, including incense used in worship.
What appeared to be a terrible loss became part of God’s plan to heal, reunite, bind, restore, and preserve Joseph’s family and many others.
God can do the same in our lives.
Joseph was a type of Christ—anointed, sold, sacrificed, and raised up to save his family from death.
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”
— 2 Corinthians 2:14, ESV
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for always working behind the scenes for our good and Your glory. You promised never to leave or forsake us. Help us keep our hearts centered on You rather than on the evil done against us.
Fill us with the fragrance of Christ so that others may see You through our lives, even in difficult circumstances. Turn what was meant for evil into something that brings healing, restoration, and good according to Your purpose.
In the holy name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
For more devotional content, please visit the Weekly Devotional page of this site.
Leave a Reply