I Didn’t Ask For This
“So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe— the ornate robe he was wearing— and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.” - Genesis 37:23-24
As we continue looking at Joseph, we see the hard obstacles he begins to face after being thrown into the pit by his brothers. Here is Joseph, a boy who had just gotten a really cool jacket, just wanting to go show his brothers, and they throw him into a pit where he has no food or water.
But this is just the beginning of his problems. He is then sold to Midianite merchants who turn around and sell him to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials. Joseph then works hard for Potiphar, who puts him in charge of his entire household, only to then be seduced by Potiphar’s wife, where Joseph declines and stays honorable to Potiphar.
However, Potiphar’s wife lies and says that Joseph slept with her, so Potiphar throws Joseph in prison. Then, after being in prison, Joseph correctly interprets the dreams of two men who go to see Pharaoh. Joseph asked the men to tell Pharaoh about him and get him out of prison, but they forgot. And so, Joseph remained in prison.
Now, things worked out for Joseph, and he became second in command to Pharaoh. But that was not without a lot of adversity along the way. And you know what? Joseph never asked for any of it!
Perhaps you can relate. Maybe the circumstances you find yourself in right now are not great, and you didn’t ask for them. But remember, neither did Joseph. In order to become who God predestined him to be, and in order to live out the dream he had at a young age, Joseph had to go through all that he went through.
It was not easy, it was not comfortable, it was not fun, and he definitely did not ask for it. But Joseph knew it was exactly God’s plan. Maybe what you are going through is not something you asked for, but perhaps it is part of God’s plan. And for you to get where you want to go, you have to experience the things you didn’t ask for first.
As we continue looking at Joseph, we see the hard obstacles he begins to face after being thrown into the pit by his brothers. Here is Joseph, a boy who had just gotten a really cool jacket, just wanting to go show his brothers, and they throw him into a pit where he has no food or water.
But this is just the beginning of his problems. He is then sold to Midianite merchants who turn around and sell him to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials. Joseph then works hard for Potiphar, who puts him in charge of his entire household, only to then be seduced by Potiphar’s wife, where Joseph declines and stays honorable to Potiphar.
However, Potiphar’s wife lies and says that Joseph slept with her, so Potiphar throws Joseph in prison. Then, after being in prison, Joseph correctly interprets the dreams of two men who go to see Pharaoh. Joseph asked the men to tell Pharaoh about him and get him out of prison, but they forgot. And so, Joseph remained in prison.
Now, things worked out for Joseph, and he became second in command to Pharaoh. But that was not without a lot of adversity along the way. And you know what? Joseph never asked for any of it!
Perhaps you can relate. Maybe the circumstances you find yourself in right now are not great, and you didn’t ask for them. But remember, neither did Joseph. In order to become who God predestined him to be, and in order to live out the dream he had at a young age, Joseph had to go through all that he went through.
It was not easy, it was not comfortable, it was not fun, and he definitely did not ask for it. But Joseph knew it was exactly God’s plan. Maybe what you are going through is not something you asked for, but perhaps it is part of God’s plan. And for you to get where you want to go, you have to experience the things you didn’t ask for first.
Free Email Devotional - Sign Up Now
Recent
Archive
2026
January
When Prayer Feels Like Bad ReceptionTeach Us to Pray AgainRelationship Over RequestsPulled Toward HeavenWhen God Says No, Slow, Grow, or GoPray Bigger PrayersPray Without Ceasing in Real LifeWhen Persistence Feels PointlessWhen Darkness Reacts to LightWorship as WarfareChains Fall in His PresenceNot Who I Used to BeWhen God Reveals the BattleNo Fear in the Presence of PowerSet Free to WorshipVictory Is NowWhat You Love, You ShareGod Has a Brag Book, and You’re in ItThe Moment You Missed and the Mercy That RemainsBetter Today Than YesterdayAvailability Over AbilityThe Search for SignificanceWhen God Sets Up the MomentExplain the Hope Within YouThe Gospel Starts Where People AreSalt Has to Leave the ShakerWhat Defines You Determines YouYou’re Richer Than You RealizeThe Quiet Sin No One ConfessesYou Can’t Serve Two MastersThe Token That Stopped Spending
February
A Prophetic EarLearning the Voice You Hear Every DayAdopted, Not ToleratedThe Same Spirit Lives in YouWhy Jesus Chose DependenceExisting Versus Truly LivingWhen God Interrupts Your RoutineConviction Calls You Up, Not OutHe Who Gets the Son Gets It AllLet the Word Get in YouThe Book You Never FinishWhen You Finally Taste What’s BetterGod Is Speaking Every Time You Open the BibleFreedom Comes from Knowing the TruthThe Holy Spirit Works with What You StoreYou Might Be the Only Bible They ReadThe Word You Read Today Might Be for Someone Else TomorrowA Love Letter, Not a Rule BookFaith That Moves Without ProofWhen Desperation Strips Away DignityTrusting God in the SmokeThe Miracle Was Not Just for YouWhen Familiarity Kills ExpectationThe Timing of God Is Never AccidentalA Savior Who Shows Up to Ordinary MomentsWhen the Wine Runs OutTake It to Jesus FirstDo Whatever He Tells You to Do
March
The Promise Of New LifeBreaking Free From The PastThe Power Of TransformationWalking In Your New IdentityThe Gift Of GraceLiving By FaithRenewed Mind, Renewed LifeThe Fruit Of New LifeGrowing Through TrialsThe Power Of God's WordWalking In LoveThe Joy Of SalvationLiving In FreedomEquipped For Good WorksResisting TemptationFighting Spiritual BattlesOvercoming FearDealing With DoubtPersevering Through HardshipStanding Against The EnemyFinding Strength In Weakness
2025
January
Why Me?Ordinary but ChosenYour Past Prepares You for God's FutureWhy Not Me?The Burden of PreparationIt’s Bigger Than YouJust Show UpAnchored in PrayerBreakthrough Was Always God's PlanWaiting on Your BreakthroughTransformative Power of PrayerThe Art of PrayerThe God of BreakthroughKryptoniteLifelineThe Dare of DependenceWho Needs Your Prayers?Soaring in PrayerObedience Through PrayerThe Power of Prayer in Overcoming Temptation
No Comments