When I read Genesis 39, I’m always so moved and inspired by Joseph’s story. I’m amazed at what happens to a life when God is present.
When God is present in our lives, we succeed. When God is present, God causes things to prosper. When God is present, we find favor with others. When God is present in our lives, the blessing we have extends to everyone and everything around us.
I underline in my Bible every time God moves in Joseph’s life. We read this:
The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man. . . The Lord was with him . . . and caused all that he did to succeed. . . So Joseph found favor. . . the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had. . . The Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of [others]. . . The Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.
Genesis 39 reveals to me something about what happens when God is with us. And it offers a great prayer for us: May we become like Joseph to know great success, to find great favor, and to enjoy God’s blessing that extends to others. If you notice, it doesn’t matter where Joseph is. Even in prison, Joseph enjoys the steadfast love of God.
The story of Joseph also teaches me to know the truth that God is working behind the scenes in our lives. I never want to forget Joseph’s words as Genesis concludes: “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
Whatever God is doing in our lives, He means it for good. Much later, it might bring about a great deliverance. We cannot know now what everything means. But later, we will rejoice in a great story God is writing in our lives.