READING: Genesis 37:1-38:30; 1 Chronicles 2:3-6, 8; Genesis 39:1-23
Today’s reading includes the early stories of Joseph, the son Jacob loved so much. We likely best remember his “ornate coat” and his later rise to power in Egypt. Today, though, I’m captured by the words, “the Lord was with . . .” in these verses.
Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Potiphar, an Egyptian officer, purchased him and put him to work in his household. There, the text tells us, “the Lord was with Joseph” (Gen 39:2), and God prospered all he did in his role. In fact, even the Egyptian recognized that the Lord was with his servant (Gen 39:3) and made him his personal assistant. I can only wonder if non-believers around us have such a sense, too; that is, do they recognize that the Lord is with us?
Later, Potiphar’s wife wrongly accused Joseph of rape, and Potiphar had Joseph put in jail. He had now gone from being an officer’s assistant to a common criminal – except that the text tells us again, “But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love” (Gen 39:21). In His love, God made Joseph a favorite of the prison warden. One more time, then, the Word tells us, “The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed” (Gen 39:23). Clearly, the writer wants us to know repeatedly that God was with Joseph.
- Joseph, sinfully sold into slavery – but the Lord was with him.
- Joseph, living in a foreign land in an officer’s house – but the Lord was with him.
- Joseph, wrongly accused and unfairly imprisoned – but the Lord was with him.
Sometimes sinful people mess up our world a bit. Sometimes a lot, in fact. No matter what difficulties we face in life, however, we who are believers have this promise: the Lord is with us. That’s all that matters.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: In what area/concern/worry of your life today do you need to remember, “the Lord is with me”?
TODAY’S PRAYER: “God, thank You for Your promise to be with us even to the end of the age.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Genesis 40:1-23, Genesis 35:28-29, Genesis 41:1-57
