Christian Devotional – October 12, 2024

New Beginnings, Day 37

Jealousy and favoritism. Read Genesis chapter 37.

Today as we read, we begin the story of Joseph. Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob. He was the first born son from Jacob’s favorite wife. And, Joseph had dreams. He received visions from God that gave him a clue into his future. He didn’t know what they meant exactly, but he knew that he would be any position of leadership over the rest of his family. Unfortunately that, together with the favoritism that their father already showed him, made Joseph’s brothers extremely jealous. As a result Joseph was on the receiving end of a lot of really bad treatment by his brothers.

We must understand that as God chooses to use us and to move in our lives, we must continue to be obedient to him regardless of how the people around us are treating us. This was a truth that Joseph had to learn early and it wasn’t easy. His brothers shouldn’t have treated him that way, but Joseph had no control over that. His father shouldn’t have been displaying favoritism, but Joseph had no control over that.

What Joseph did have control over was how he chose to honor God with the things that he did and the things that he said. Did he make mistakes? Yes. Could he have done some things differently? Yes. But ultimately, it was his responsibility to glorify God in everything he did. The same applies to us. Regardless of how we are treated or the circumstances we go through, are we choosing to glorify God in every circumstance in our life today?

Video Devotional here: https://youtu.be/9Lx__YxGerg