A Daily Purpose

Bible Study & Devotional (Day 22)

Read Today’s Passages (January 22, 2022)

🔴 I Have Been Changed

Contributing Writer: Irvine Saint-Vilus

Things change, such as the weather, the seasons, and societal norms, but can people change?

In Genesis 44:1-45:28, Joseph decides to put his brothers to the test to see if they are the same hateful people who had been jealous of him and had sold him off into slavery in Egypt. Joseph’s clever plan unfolds when he sets up Benjamin, the youngest brother. In fact, Judah, one of the older brothers, offers to take Benjamin’s place as Joseph’s slave. Stating that losing Benjamin, after having lost a son that had been precious to him, would send their father to an early grave.

Transformation

Such a show of selflessness proves to Joseph that his brothers had changed, and he is so moved that he decides to end the test and reveal his true identity to them. God ushers in a change in these men by appealing to their consciences, which are seared.

In Gen. 42:21, they exclaim, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother [Joseph], for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us”

Therefore, with God, change is not only possible but inevitable.

When a person encounters the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it changes the person’s heart and ultimately his or her life. He did that for the apostle Paul whose heart was filled with hate as he ruthlessly persecuted the Christians, until he met Jesus on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). That event produced such a change that Paul developed a heart of love and compassion for others and became the greatest advocate for the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

Like the apostle Paul, we can experience the same radical transformation when we encounter the living Christ and allow Him to change us and make us “a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17) through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Irvine Saint-Vilus

Irvine is a published author, worship leader, instructor, and speaker. Over the past two years, she worked as an instructional assistant helping autistic students in the school system. Irvine also had the privilege of working as a chaplain in a hospital setting, which allowed her to minister to patients, staff and work in a team environment where collaboration and accountability were essential. Irvine received a Bachelor’s degree in English at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; a Master’s degree in Divinity, and a School Counseling degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

This devotional was submitted by Irvine Saint-Vilus, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.