(Recommended Reading: Genesis 39:1 – 41:37)
The scriptures referenced above involve the life of Joseph. He was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelites that had purchased him from his brothers. The Ismaelites then sold him to Potiphar, one of the Pharaoh’s important officials. Joseph proved himself worthy of trust and was entrusted with all that Potiphar owned. (From bad to good.)
When Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce Joseph, he refused her multiple times. Then one day she went further than before in her efforts and Joseph “…left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.” (39:12b NIV) Potiphar’s wife told her husband the story as though Joseph had been the aggressor; and, as a result, Potiphar “put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.” (39:20b NIV) (Oops! From good to bad.)
But once again, Joseph found favor – this time with the prison warden – and he was put in charge of everything there in that prison. (From bad to good.)
While in this position, Joseph interpreted the dreams of two men (the cupbearer and the baker) and the interpretations both came true. He asked them when they were released from prison to mention him to Pharoah, in order to help him get released; but, they promptly forgot about him. (From potential good – depending on others – back to bad – because he depended on others. Sometimes depending on other people can cause even more issues, because that’s not what we’re really supposed to be doing.)
Two years later Pharoah had some dreams that no one in the land that he called on could interpret. At that point the cupbearer remembered Joseph and told the king how he had correctly interpreted the dreams of himself and the baker. So the Pharaoh called for him, and even then Joseph remained humble, in 41:16 (NIV) he says “’I cannot do it,…but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.’” After Pharaoh related the dreams to him, Joseph gave him the interpretation. As a result, Joseph was made second in command in Egypt – only the Pharaoh himself had more authority. Chapter 39:2&3 tells us that while serving Potiphar, Joseph “prospered” and that “…the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did.” And when he was in the prison we are told in 39:23 “The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” (From bad to good.)
I believe that like Joseph, even when we remain faithful to God and do what is right, there is still always the possibility that things might not always go well. People might resent our confidence, our strength and our determination. But…if we stay faithful and committed to our convictions and do the right things, God can turn the bad to good – He is an expert at doing just that. However, even if the good should turn to bad, He can reverse it. Then He can use us to benefit not only ourselves but to have a positive impact on others as well.
A couple of days ago the verse for my daily devotional reading was: “Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me!” (Psalm 27:7 NLT) These are some thoughts the author (Chris Tiegreen) shared that I think go along with what I’ve been speaking about: “David wrote this Psalm, as well as many others, under duress…David was concerned about his situation, but he wasn’t obsessed with it. He kept his gaze on God.
“Many of the Psalms are a field manual of how to get from point A to point B in our emotional lives and in our faith. They begin with stress and end with praise. Psalm 27 is one of those psalms, and it teaches us to seek God first, even in the midst of an unresolved and desperate situation. In fact, that’s where we’re most likely to encounter God. These times when life seems overwhelming and God seems far off are often a test. Will we keep our focus on Him or on the circumstances? Which looms larger in our hearts? If we’re able to be preoccupied with Him, even when all else dictates against our faith, we will experience His presence and hear His voice.
“God often shows up when we least expect Him to. That means our worst times are His best opportunities … .Those who desire God above all else and call to Him in times of trouble will be answered.”
So, when things in our lives go from good to bad, we just need to remember that God can and will turn them back to good if we will just put it in His hands and be patient.
Written by Karran Martin – January 2019/Revised December 5, 2025
[All bold emphasis is mine]
Karran's Korner 