Day 19

Genesis 37–38 | Mark 8:11–30 | Psalm 9

“But the Lord sits enthroned forever; He has established His throne for justice.” (Psalm 9:7)

I’m writing this from Park City, Utah, where I’m spending a few days with my younger brothers and our wives to celebrate Garrett’s 40th birthday. It’s been years since we’ve shared time like this. As brothers, we’ve navigated highs and lows—moments of connection and conflict—but sitting here reminds me how grateful I am for the bond we share.

Yet as they ski the slopes and I sit by the fire with my recovering hand, my mind turns to another brother—not by blood, but by choice—J. He’s been my closest friend, my steady rock through life’s ups and downs, a true brother in every sense that matters. Relationships like this remind me how God uses people to teach us about grace, forgiveness, and His unfailing faithfulness.

That’s why Genesis 37 resonates deeply today. Joseph’s story begins with betrayal—his brothers’ jealousy driving them to sell him into slavery. But even in the pit, God saw Joseph and was already weaving redemption through the brokenness. What they meant for harm, God used for good, preserving not just Joseph but their entire family.

In Mark 8, Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ reminds me of my own struggle to grasp God’s plans. Like Peter, I often see through a narrow lens, clinging to my expectations instead of trusting in God’s larger purposes. Whether it’s in family dynamics or my own recovery journey, I’m learning to trust that His ways are higher than mine.

Psalm 9 centers it all. The God who sits enthroned forever isn’t distant. He sees us in the pit of betrayal, the fire of uncertainty, and the struggle of incomplete understanding. He doesn’t just see—He redeems. What feels hopeless is never wasted in His hands.

Lord, thank You for the gift of family—those we’re born into and those You give us along the way. Help me trust in Your purposes, even when they’re hard to see. Redeem the brokenness in my life, and use it to reflect Your grace and glory. Amen.