Devotionals

Genesis 40:20–41:1

The process of discovering, processing, purifying, and shaping gold is a lengthy, painstaking process. Affliction is gold in the making for the child of God, and God is the one who determines how long the process takes. He alone is the Refiner.

This is where Joseph was when we left him. He is still in process. His gold is still being refined. His heart is still being broken by affliction and abandonment.

Genesis 40:20–41:1  

Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought. Two full years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River. (Genesis40:23–41:1)

Genesis 40:4-19 

When Joseph saw them the next morning, he noticed that they both looked upset. “Why do you look so worried today?” he asked them. And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.” “Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.” (Genesis 40:6–8)

Genesis 40:1-3       

Some time later, Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer and chief baker offended their royal master. Pharaoh became angry with these two officials, and he put them in the prison where Joseph was, in the palace of the captain of the guard. (Genesis 40:1-3)

Genesis 39:21–23         

But the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the lord made Joseph a favourite with the prison warden. Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The LORD was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. (Genesis39:21–23)

Genesis 39:19–23

If anybody knew about unfair treatment, about a false accusation, about being an innocent victim on the receiving end, it was Joseph.

Genesis 39:19-23  

Job 9:1-35 

“God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.

If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together.

The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.

Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength." (Job 9:32–35)

Job 3:1-26

Every person reading this chapter has been the recipient of bad advice. You listened as someone gave it to you. You followed the counsel you received and then suffered the consequences. We have all benefited from someone's good advice too. We were unsure and confused, so we reached out to somebody we trusted. We received good counsel, followed the advice, and enjoyed the benefits.

Job 3:1–26

There are times when others' words only make our troubles worse. That may seem too elementary to mention, so why would I? Well, have you learned it? Are you still listening to everybody? If so, it's small wonder that you're confused.

There are times when God's ways only make us more confused. There, I've said it. I've been wanting to say that all through this chapter, and I finally worked up the courage. My point? Don't expect to understand everything that happens when it occurs.