Sometimes life is hard. Circumstances happen and we face things we never thought would occur. We wonder if God is with us. We wonder why God is allowing these issues to continue to happen. We wonder if we will ever catch a break. We become discouraged by the situations of life and question if God is good.
God is with us. Just because the Lord is with us doesn’t mean life will be easy. It means that God will meet us where we are and use us in our circumstances.
Joseph’s life could have quite possibly been a featured Lifetime movie. So much tragedy and turmoil. Joseph sort of brought some of it on himself. We probably do the same in some circumstances of our lives. Joseph begins in Genesis 37 by telling his brothers that he had a dream and that one day all of them will bow down and serve him. Probably not the best way to make friends and influence people. Joseph’s brothers do not take highly of his dream and end up throwing him into a pit and selling him to a caravan of traders.
The next stop on Joseph’s list of unfortunate circumstances was at Potiphar’s house. Potiphar was an Egyptian officer; captain of the guard for Pharaoh. “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of the Egyptian master.” Genesis 39:2 Even after being sold into slavery, God blessed Joseph through his circumstances. Unfortunately, Potiphar’s wife took a liking to Joseph, made up a lie stating he had tried to have relations with her, and so he was thrown into prison.
Prison. Just when Joseph thought it really couldn’t get worse. “But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.” Genesis 39:21 Even in the prison God was with Joseph and used him. Joseph was placed as a supervisor for all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in prison. “…The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.” Genesis 39:23
Joseph begins to use his interpretation of dreams in the prison to describe what will take place for two important men: the cup-bearer and the baker. After Joseph interprets the dreams, his only request is that they remember him. In true fashion, the cup-bearer totally forgot about Joseph until two years later when his boss, Pharaoh, needed a dream interpreted. Joseph is called out of prison, interprets the dream, and is eventually placed as second in command in Egypt.
As famine spreads throughout the land, Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt for food. They end up bowing down to Joseph, as his initial dream had stated, and their relationships are reconciled. The brothers were so mournful for the hurt they had caused. Joseph said, “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.” Genesis 50:20
We cannot let the circumstances around us cause us to doubt the presence and power of God. Maybe things are not going well right now? Maybe your family is in turmoil? God is with you in the pit. Maybe someone at your work has wronged you? God is with you in Potiphar’s house.
Maybe people or friends you ministered to have forgotten about you? God is with you in the prison. Maybe things are going great? God is with you in the palace.
God is with us and has a plan for us even when we cannot see it. God wants to use us in all the
moments. The good, the bad, and the ugly. He has a purpose and he never leaves us.
Written by Amy Carrico
Author of Making the Moments Matter Blog
Last Updated on January 22, 2024
I really needed this today. It is exactly how I feel like God has left me in these trying days. Thank you for the reminder.