Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. I imagine by this point Joseph’s faith in God might have waivered, considering that he had already been thrown into a pit by his brothers, left for dead, then sold into slavery. But it did not. Instead, it strengthened his faith and commitment to the Lord.
I’m sure that if given a choice Joseph would not have wished to be a slave in Egypt, but despite his captivity, he was “successful” because the Lord was with him. “But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” (Vs 21) Imagine that! Despite his situation God still blessed him, in fact, it’s BECAUSE of his situation that God blessed him!
I know all about prison and I am all too familiar with false accusations. I have been exiled from my home, as well as, from an entire circle of friends that I love, because of betrayals, false accusations, and slander. I want you to know though, that it was in this place of despair and loneliness that I chose to honor God with my silence and my dedication to continue to love and pray for those who had slighted me, as well as, to press into Him like never before and trust Him for redemption, that He chose to bless me with His favor… Just like He did with Joseph.
Few people would choose to be promoted like God promoted Joseph, but God blesses despite, and even through adverse circumstances.
God had a purpose for bringing Joseph to Egypt, just like He did with me. It’s often in that dry, difficult, lonely place that we learn to trust God completely. Once Joseph learned that God was still with him no matter what anyone did to him, he was unstoppable. Like Joseph, I faced my demons of rejection and finally conquered my flesh’s need for acceptance and realized that God KNOWS the truth, He sees my heart, and He is the only one who’s approval I need to ever seek.
If you are in a difficult place today, no matter what you are going through or what people are saying about you, take heart. You are most likely being positioned for a promotion! Setbacks are merely set-ups, and if you will continue to look to God for all your needs, He will more than supply them, He will bless you in the midst of them!!!
My prayer for you today is that you would not chase after your own desires and passions, that you would repent of any selfish ways and self-centered activities and that you would put God first and that you would see what God is wanting to do in your life exactly at this place you are at in this very moment.
Trust me, nothing is wasted, friends. Patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God’s will. Just wait…..He is up to something. Can’t you see it???
“All things work together for good to those that love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
ALL THINGS!!!!!!
Watchmen On The Pod 