God’s Presence #3—Present In Persecution

Joseph had been taken down to Egypt … and I AM was with Joseph. Genesis 39:1–2

Where we are in life, physically or existentially, is infinitely less important than who is with us while we’re there. Paradise becomes perdition if we’re in a “Garden of Eden” accompanied by an enemy. If we feel captive in some place where we’d choose not to be, but God is with us, prison becomes paradise. Joseph teaches us that we must not let “place” ruin our perspective on life because God is present in places and situations where it seems unlikely. Since God is with us, we don’t have to take matters into our own hands. Unlike Adam and Eve, who decided they knew the best way to create a happy future, Joseph kept trusting God to act supernaturally for him; so God caused him to be a “successful man.” Therefore, he was able to love his captors. He did not moan and mope. He set about doing his best at what he was given to do. He did not steal from his master; rather he worked for his benefit. He did not take advantage of his master’s wife’s sexual advances. For he did not want to “do this great evil and sin against God.” When he went to prison on false charges despite his righteous actions, “I AM was with Joseph and extended kindness to him.” In the end, Joseph was able to see that while his enemies “meant it to him for evil, God meant it for good, in order to” save many others.

Lord, thank you for never abandoning me, even in what seems to be the darkest hours. Please grant me the grace to honor you as Joseph did.