2021-01-10
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Genesis 39:1-2 (CSB) Now Joseph had been taken to Egypt. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.
Genesis 39:19-21 (CSB) When his master heard the story his wife told him—“These are the things your slave did to me”—he was furious 20 and had him thrown into prison, where the king’s prisoners were confined. So Joseph was there in prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
1. In the most difficult of moments, God is with you
Vs 2 The Lord was with Joseph…
- No matter how deep the pit or great the challenge you are facing, God will not leave you on your own
- 1 Peter 5:7 – “casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you”
- This promise comes immediately following the statement that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble
2. When you are treated badly by others, God doesn’t abandon you
Vss 19b-21a—“These are the things your slave did to me”—he was furious 20 and had him thrown into prison, where the king’s prisoners were confined. So Joseph was there in prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him
- Joseph had been hated by his brothers, left for dead, sold as a slave, lied about to his boss and now thrown into jail
- But notice verse 21…But the Lord was with Joseph
- Hebrews 13:5-6 reminds us He will never leave us or forsake us…and that because the Lord is our helper, there is nothing to fear because man can do nothing to us
- Matthew 28:20 – “I am with you always”, Jesus said
3. God’s Best Should Be Our Focus
Vs 23b (CSB)…and the Lord made everything that he did successful.
- Here’s the key: Despite all of the injustices that happened to Joseph, he continued to do what is right
- He had every excuse to blame others, to quit, to seek revenge; but he didn’t
Gen. 50:20 (CSB) You planned evil against me; God planned it for good…