Genesis 39

Every once in a while, something new stands out to me in the midst of a very familiar Bible passage. This time it happened while we were studying the life of Joseph in Genesis 39. 

Over the course of this chapter, Joseph is in Egypt. He is one of Pharaoh's officials and also a slave. Joseph is having great success in his work. Everything he touches prospers and Pharaoh does not have to concern himself with anything in Joseph's care. And then Potiphar's wife accuses Joseph of mistreating her and Pharaoh throws Joseph in prison where he stays for years. 

What hit me was that in this relatively short chapter the phrase "the Lord was with Joseph" was used four times. 

Sure it's easy to agree that the Lord was with Joseph when He's put in charge of Pharaoh's household and later when he is put in charge of all those held in prison. But in those times Joseph is still a slave and he is still in prison. Yet the Scripture repeatedly tells us that the Lord was with Joseph. 

I might not feel like the Lord is with me if I find myself enslaved, betrayed and thrown in prison. The circumstances don't change whether the Lord is with me. In "bad" circumstances the Lord is with Joseph. The Lord also has a bigger plan for Joseph's life than Joseph can see.

At a time in Joseph's life where we would assume that Joseph was not "blessed", God was there with him. During times in my life when I don't feel "blessed" because of difficult circumstances, I'm challenged to remember that God is with me. Knowing the presence of God is with me is the most blessed I can be no matter the circumstances I find myself in.