Betrayed but Not Broken: 6-Day Devotional
Day 1: God Is Still at Work in the Pit
Scripture: Genesis 37:23–24 (NLT)
“So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.”
Devotional Thought:
Joseph’s story doesn’t begin in a palace; it begins in a pit. Betrayal from his own brothers stripped him of his robe, his dignity, and seemingly his future. Yet even in that dark place, God was at work. The pit looked like an ending, but it was actually a beginning.
Many of us know what it feels like to be in a “pit.” It may be a season of loss, rejection, loneliness, or depression. In the pit, it feels like God is distant. But Joseph’s story reminds us that God’s purposes are never cancelled by people’s actions. The pit may have been dug by others, but it is overseen by God. And when you belong to Him, no betrayal can undo His plan for your life.
Reflection Questions:
What “pit” season of life have you experienced or are experiencing now?
How can remembering God’s sovereignty give you hope in that pit?
Prayer Prompt:
Lord, remind me that even when I feel trapped in a pit, You are still working out Your purpose in my life.
Action Step:
Write down one painful season in your past. Then journal how God used it—or is still using it—for your growth.
Day 2: God’s Favor May Attract Opposition
Scripture: Genesis 37:3–4 (NLT)
“Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children… But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.”
Devotional Thought:
Joseph’s robe wasn’t just fabric—it was a symbol of favor. Unfortunately, favor often attracts opposition. His brothers hated him because the robe was a visible reminder of Jacob’s favoritism. Jealousy took root in their hearts until it grew into betrayal.
When God calls you, not everyone will celebrate it. Sometimes walking in your purpose exposes the insecurities in others. Jesus Himself was rejected by His own people (John 1:11). Opposition isn’t always a sign that you’re on the wrong path—it can be confirmation that you’re carrying something worth fighting against.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever faced opposition because of your obedience to God?
How might opposition be a sign of God’s calling in your life?
Prayer Prompt:
Father, help me not to fear opposition but to remain faithful to Your calling, trusting that You are with me.
Action Step:
Encourage someone who is facing opposition for their faith. Send them a text or prayer to remind them that they’re not alone.
Day 3: Betrayal Can Break You, But God Can Heal You
Scripture: Genesis 37:28 (NLT)
“So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver…”
Devotional Thought:
Few wounds cut deeper than betrayal by those closest to us. Joseph’s brothers didn’t just throw him into a pit—they sold him as a slave for pocket change. That kind of pain doesn’t just bruise the body; it breaks the heart.
But here’s the truth: betrayal may break you, but it doesn’t have to define you. Jesus understands this pain—He too was betrayed for silver, by one of His own disciples. And yet, the betrayal that wounded Him became the very means of our salvation.
Your betrayal may leave scars, but it cannot cancel God’s destiny. The same God who lifted Joseph out of the pit can heal your wounds and use your story to bring hope to others.
Reflection Questions:
How has betrayal affected your faith or relationships?
What does it mean to you that Jesus understands betrayal personally?
Prayer Prompt:
Lord, heal the places in me that betrayal has broken, and help me to trust Your plan even in my pain.
Action Step:
Write a prayer of release, giving God the hurt of any betrayal you’ve experienced, and ask Him to bring healing.
Day 4: Detours Are Not Dead Ends
Scripture: Genesis 37:36 (NLT)
“Meanwhile, the Midianite traders arrived in Egypt, where they sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.”
Devotional Thought:
To Joseph, Egypt must have looked like the end of the road. Instead, it was the next step toward his destiny. What looked like a detour was actually a divine direction.
In your life, there may be detours—plans that didn’t work out, doors that closed, or seasons that didn’t make sense. But what feels like a setback may be God’s setup. His ways are higher than ours, and He knows how to get us exactly where we need to be.
Detours remind us that we are not the authors of our story. God is. And if He is writing, every detour leads to destiny.
Reflection Questions:
What detour in your life has God used for your good?
How can you begin trusting God more in your current detour?
Prayer Prompt:
Father, thank You that no detour is wasted in Your plan. Help me trust Your timing and direction.
Action Step:
Identify one current frustration that feels like a detour. Pray over it daily this week, asking God to show you how He may be using it.
Day 5: God Can Use Your Story to Bless Others
Scripture: Genesis 50:20 (NLT)
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
Devotional Thought:
Joseph’s pain was never just about him—it was about positioning him to bless others. By the end of his story, Joseph could look at his brothers and see God’s greater purpose: their evil intentions became the very means by which God saved lives.
Your story is not just your own. God can use your pain, your testimony, and even your scars to bring encouragement, healing, and salvation to others. When we share what God has done, our lives become living proof of His grace.
Reflection Questions:
How has God used your pain to minister to someone else?
Who in your life needs to hear your story of God’s faithfulness?
Prayer Prompt:
Lord, use my story to bring hope to others. Help me to be bold in sharing what You’ve done for me.
Action Step:
Share a short testimony this week—with a friend, small group, or online—about how God brought you through a difficult time.
Day 6: From the Pit to the Cross
Scripture: Acts 2:23–24 (NLT)
“But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed… But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.”
Devotional Thought:
Joseph’s betrayal points us to a greater story—Jesus Christ. Just like Joseph, Jesus was betrayed for silver, rejected by His own, and handed over to suffering. But His pit was deeper: the grave itself. Yet the grave could not hold Him. On the third day, He rose in victory.
The Gospel is this: what others meant for evil, God used for our salvation. Betrayal became redemption. The cross became victory. The pit became a platform for resurrection.
Because Jesus overcame the grave, we can overcome every pit we face. Your pit is not permanent—because the empty tomb guarantees your future.
Reflection Questions:
How does Jesus’ betrayal and resurrection give meaning to Joseph’s story?
How does the Gospel give you hope in your current “pit”?
Prayer Prompt:
Jesus, thank You for entering the pit of death for me. Help me to trust You with every pit in my life.
Action Step:
Invite someone to church or share the Gospel with them this week. Let your story point them to Christ’s story.