The Lord was with Him (Genesis 39:21-23)

When we read biblical stories about prison, we tend to imagine them taking place in our modern American prison system. But ancient Egyptian prisons are much different from our modern ones. For one thing, the prisoners weren’t kept in private cells and given their food, clothes, beds, and necessities; they were grouped together and required to work to provide for themselves. Within the large group of prisoners, some were designated as leaders over the others and given extra responsibility to make sure the work got done. One of those designated leaders, as we will see today, was Joseph.

Please read Genesis 39:21-23.

Joseph was put in charge of all the prisoners, just like he was put in charge of Potiphar’s house. The keeper of the prison gave him much more leeway than any other prisoner because Joseph was successful in everything that he did.

How did Joseph have such success? It wasn’t because he was the hardest working prisoner. It wasn’t because he was the smartest prisoner. It wasn’t because he was the strongest prisoner, the most skilled prisoner, or the craftiest prisoner.

The scripture makes it clear why Joseph had success: “The Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor.”

If God is with us who can be against us?

God was working through Joseph, blessing Joseph, and giving Joseph success at whatever he attempted. The warden noticed this and gave Joseph more and more responsibility, which was met with more and more success. Joseph quickly rose through the ranks of the prison just like he did at Potiphar’s house, because God was with him.

God is God. That sounds like a simple statement, and it is. But if you reflect on it for a minute, you’ll realize how significant it is. God is God; the personal being with whom I converse and love and share my most intimate experiences is also the maker of the universe who holds all things in His hands. He can do anything, and He will do anything for those who love Him. Even now, He is working all things out for the good of those who love Him, for my good, and for your good.

So, whether you find yourself a slave in someone’s house or a prisoner in an ancient Egyptian prison, homeless, unemployed, unloved by your spouse, unappreciated by your children, or stressing out about life, remember that the Lord is still with you, just like He was with Joseph. He has not abandoned you. He will give you success in accomplishing His will on earth, just like He did with Joseph.