God is Good…All the Time – Part 2

God is Good…All the Time (Genesis 39:19-23) – Part 2

Genesis 39:19-23, And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.

Joseph continued to trust God and to seek His glory, and give Him the glory for what He had done (Genesis 41:14-16). Ultimately, this moment was not about Joseph; it was about God. Joseph found favor with God and gave God the glory whether he was in prison or the palace. Likewise, as believers, we must stand firm on the Word of God and always seek God’s glory. Therefore, we are to submit to God’s plan even when we cannot understand it (Isaiah 55:8-9). We are to believe in the God of the promise even when it is difficult to believe in the promise of God. Because God is faithful and sovereign, we live with full trust in Him, knowing that even when obstacles appear to prevent His mission, He may use those very obstacles as part of His plan to bring glory to His Son.

Potiphar had Joseph thrown in prison “where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.” Nevertheless, “the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.“ The keeper of the prison promoted Joseph making him a trusty. He quickly became the overseer of the prison. The keeper thus entrusted Joseph with oversight of the entire prison, “because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.” All things were working together for good. God had a greater plan for Joseph and his family. Being in prison was part of the preparation of that plan.

Joseph foreshadowed Jesus through his experiences, highlighting God’s greatest act of redemptive reversal in Scripture. Joseph went from favored son to slave. He suffered unjustly in Potiphar’s house and in prison, but God later exalted him to a place of prominence (the second most powerful person in Egypt) allowing Joseph to save his people. Jesus humbled Himself by leaving His throne on high, taking on flesh, and coming to earth as a servant (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus suffered unjustly at the hands of the ones He came to save. He was rejected, wrongly accused, and forsaken (Matthew 27:32-56). Unlike Joseph, Jesus was not granted freedom; the sinless Saviour was crucified and buried. But on the third day, God revealed His greatest act of redemptive reversal to the world. Jesus resurrected, arose from a tomb that could not contain Him (John 20:1-18). Sin had been forgiven. Death had been defeated. And Christ returned to His exalted place of glory with the Father where He now reigns for us for all eternity.

Points to Ponder:
God is at work even when we can’t see it.
The circumstances you face today are no challenge to the power and purpose of God.
Like Joseph, we might not be able to see God’s plan at any given moment, but we will see it one day.

Questions to Consider:
How will you respond when it is difficult to feel God’s presence or trust in Him and His promises?
How can you begin to view obstacles in your life as opportunities to share Christ with others?
What are some ways you can encourage one another to continue trusting in God and His promises in difficult circumstances?

PRAYER: God, You are present even when I can’t see Your sovereign hand at work, nor feel Your omnipresent love. Grant me the faith to continue trusting You even in the midst of adversity and suffering, knowing that You are molding me into the image of Your Son. Help me to encourage others with the truth as they endure suffering. In Jesus name, Amen.

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