#19 Even so, the Lord was with Joseph in prison. God is with us in our afflictions. Genesis 39:21
But even, the Lord was with Joseph;
God showed him kindness,
Granted Him favor
Genesis 39:21
Joseph found the Presence of God in a pit and in a prison
not just in the clouds or in a church.
Stripped - Pharaoh saw that the Lord was with Joseph and "how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand." Genesis 39:3. Pharaoh's wife concocts a story about infidelity involving Joseph and that tunic again and "stripped" him of his clothing, but she couldn't strip him of his humility, his wisdom, his integrity. No one strips us of the Grace of God. Potiphar believed the daring assault on his wife at the hands of Joseph. But God was with Joseph, even in the most dank dark dangerous prison. The prison proved to be one of Potiphar's worst.
Slammed - We may be slammed shut out of palaces but never shut out of the Presence of God. He wasn't even supervised in jail "because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper." Genesis 39:23. Even delivering the news to the Chief Baker, Joseph didn't shrink back. God was with him. But even there, no family, no friends, but the Very Presence, in the midst of even more affliction for Joseph. From a cistern to a dungeon. And even there God caused Joseph to be patient and joyful. God supported Joseph with His Very Right Hand.
Separated - Joseph was separated from his country, his relatives, and now his friends and co-workers. Joseph was never separated from the Presence of God. Pharaoh saw that the LORD was with Joseph even in jail, "the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer." Genesis 39:21.
But even there, Yahweh comforted Joseph with His Presence---no family, no friends, but the Very Presence, in midst of even more affliction for Joseph. From a cistern to a dungeon. Yet even there God caused Joseph to be patient and joyful. God supported Joseph with His Very Right Hand.
Joseph knew in his heart he could not violate the trust of his God and sin against Him. Never! So he ran from temptation. Wonder how I "let go" of my temptation. Am I running from it? Seems like yesterday I was vindicating myself in a situation---stagnating and it stinks!
PHOTO: "Doomed Star" - photo credit: Commons, Flickr Smithsonian. Doomed. That's what Potiphar's wife wanted for Joseph. A daring assault on his character. She held his garment "in her hand" but she said he left it by her side. Joseph could have given in---in secret---but no, he did what was right in the sight of God. Now, God is with him in a doomed dungeon. Not to rescue but to uphold and grow this young boy in grace. Daring Grace. The Same for you and me.
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