Day 22

Genesis 43–44 | Mark 9:33–50

“Whoever would be first must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

Genesis 43–44 plunges us into the emotional weight of Joseph’s story. His brothers, burdened by guilt and desperate for mercy, stand before him, unaware of God’s larger plan for restoration. Their sorrow and uncertainty remind us that even in brokenness, God is working to bring redemption. His purposes often unfold in ways we don’t see in the moment.

In Mark 9, Jesus challenges our assumptions about greatness, calling His disciples to humility, service, and surrender. True greatness isn’t about recognition. It’s about obedience. It’s about living in humble submission to God’s purposes. It’s about trusting Him when life feels uncertain or incomplete.

If we never knew sorrow, how could we understand joy? If we never faced heartache, how could we grasp the hope He gives? These passages remind us that trust is the foundation of a life surrendered to God. He doesn’t ask us to wait for perfect circumstances to follow Him. He calls us to trust Him now—in the uncertainty, in the waiting, in the tension of not knowing the full story, much less how it ends.

Like the disciples in Mark 9, we often struggle to grasp the fullness of God’s plan. Yet Jesus meets us in our confusion, calling us to trust Him even when the way forward feels unclear. God’s work in Joseph’s life, and His call to servanthood in Mark 9, teach us this: life’s trenches are not wasted. They are where God refines us and reshapes our hearts for His own purposes. Surrender is not about what we bring to the table—it’s about recognizing who He is and letting His grace sustain us.

Lord, teach me to trust You in the trenches. Help me to surrender my plans and expectations, knowing You are working for my good and Your glory. Let my life reflect Your worth, even when the way forward feels unclear. Amen.