Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 39:1-6a.
“Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. So he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate.” Genesis 39:1-6a.
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I was tempted to devote this devotion to “keys to success”, that is, verses which show us how we can be successful. But, as I considered those verses, I also considered that nothing is said in today’s Scripture about Joseph performing any of those “keys to success”. Rather, we only read: “The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. … the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.”
We tend to want credit for our own success, and we want success for our own purpose; but, the LORD deserves all the credit for our success and works for His own purpose.
Later, after Joseph became ruler in Egypt and saved his brothers, father, and many others from famine, when his brothers asked Joseph for forgiveness for their plot against him, Joseph said: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” Genesis 50:20.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 