When Joseph was at his lowest point, he got through it by relying on three things…
God’s presence
“The LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love” (Gen. 39:21). God went to prison with Joseph, and Joseph knew God was with him. George Lawson says, “Think not that the presence of God with His people is limited to palaces or to churches. It has often been manifestly seen that He was with them in prisons, in caves or dens, on gibbets, and in fiery furnaces.”
God’s promise
Joseph held onto the dream God gave him. It had come to him with all the power of the Word of God. God had revealed the future to Joseph, so when he arrives at the lowest point of his life, he knows it can’t end there. Joseph could say, “It can’t end here because I have the promise of God, and what God promises He always fulfills.”
God’s purpose
In the meantime, Joseph finds his purpose in this lowest place. Matthew Henry comments, “A good man will do good wherever he is.” Out of Joseph’s suffering comes a remarkable ministry. God gave Joseph favor in the sight of the prison keeper (39:21). “And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it” (39:22). Joseph did his work so well that the prison keeper, “paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge” (39:23). Since God’s blessing is on Joseph, wherever Joseph goes, he brings this blessing with him.
If God brings you to a place of sorrow, then bring His blessing to others who sorrow. If He brings you to a place of loss, use your loss to bring His blessing to others who experience loss. If God allows you to face false accusation, reach out to those who suffer the same injustice.
Has God brought you into a place of sorrow, loss, or injustice? Can you see others who are in a similar place and in need of God’s blessing too?
