by David Scott Robertson
"The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand" (Genesis 39:2-3).
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The Lord was with Joseph.
Hated by his brothers, betrayed and thrown in a pit, sold to an Egyptian officer to live the life of a slave, a victim of a lustful conspiracy by his master's wife, unjustly sentenced to prison to live the cruel life of a prisoner, forgotten by those he helped…
Yet the Bible says the Lord was with Joseph.
It's hard to see that the Lord was with Joseph when he suffered wave after wave of injustice and unfair treatment. Maybe you're reading this today and you are in such a hard place that you find it difficult to believe that the Lord is with you.
For Joseph, before he was promoted to the palace as a prime minister he had to face the pit, Potiphar, and prison (in that order).
Why? How is that fair? What's the point to all the pain? How can God possibly get glory out of all Joseph's suffering? Does God really care?
Could it be that God had to prepare Joseph's character to match the enormous call on his life?
To be entrusted with spiritual gifts (interpreting dreams), godly wisdom (inspiration to save a nation from famine), and ultimately bring about God's will for the twelve tribes of Israel (relocating Jacob and his sons to Egypt) was an incredibly tall order! God knew that Joseph would have to walk in forgiveness, humility, and great wisdom in order to bring about God's will for the nation of Israel. Hence, the tests, trials, and tribulations to forge Joseph's character.
Are you in a test, trial, or tribulation today? Do you doubt whether or not the Lord is with you? All the outward evidence may suggest otherwise, but if you are a Christ-follower then the Lord is with you. God is causing all things to work together for your good simply because you love Him (Romans 8:28). Don't let a bad report and unjust accusations by well-wishing but ignorant people guide your perception of God's presence in your life.
God is up to something with you. All suffering has a purpose. Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Through your pain God may be preparing you. Don't grow weary in well doing for in due season you will reap (Galatians 6:9).
The Lord is with you.
"…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
DSR
6/19/05