Anchor Devotional

See this and other editions of the Anchor Devotional online.

If someone forwarded this email to you, subscribe for yourself by signing up here.

Behind the Scenes

“But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.” Genesis 39:20-21

Not long ago my husband and I found ourselves in the very difficult circumstance of being treated unfairly by those who had once been our friends. Perhaps you’ve faced a situation like this at some point. It’s devastating, isn’t it?

God reminded me quickly of Joseph in the book of Genesis. How many times in Joseph’s life was he treated unfairly and likely felt forgotten by God and others? Plenty. Yet Joseph didn’t seek blame or justice for himself. He remained faithful to God in the silence. We see repeatedly that “The Lord was with Joseph” (vv. 2, 3, 21, 23) and had not forsaken him.

Joseph had experienced human trafficking, false accusation, and abandonment, yet he understood it was God’s hand—not the evil actions of others—directing his life. He declared, “It was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:8). We can recognize like Joseph that the “unfairness” we experience today is a tool in God’s merciful hands for our good. Remember, His own Son knew more than any of us what it was to be treated unfairly, all for the salvation of you and me.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Genesis 39:11-23

INSIGHT
“[God] will transform the evil intentions of evil people into opportunities for the enrichment of those in His care.” (Charles Swindoll, 2009)

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Job 9-10
Psalm 47
Luke 10

Sign up to get the Know the Bible free email lesson series from Bible Gateway.