Read the passage: Genesis 39
Answers how to be a blessing to God where you are
-in your challenging circumstances-
Many times the appearing inconsistency of our circumstances trouble us.
(Joseph undoubtedly was concerned with the meaning of his circumstances.
vs.2l 1) God affirms the rightness of our stand for righteousness with His accompanying presence.
(But the Lord was with Joseph,)
Joseph had taken a stand. He had been obedient.
We may question, did we do right?
Our seeking to be so totally right leaves us uncertain as to whether what we do or said was right.,
In Joseph’s case it was clear he was right.
Sometimes our situation may not be as clearly evident
God’s presence gives us assurance.
vs.2l 2) God ministers to our need according to the abundance of our need. His supply is sufficient.
(and showed him mercy)
How great was Joseph's need? God's supply was equal to the need.
Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Matt. 5: 7
The travail of heart Joseph must have felt was not with God’s mercy.
Note: God didn’t meet the travail of his heart with exhoneration, but with mercy.
God didn’t free him from the injustice, but was merciful to him in it.
Therein lies the hope.
To be free at this point would deny or maybe cut off God designed spiritual growth and future usefulness and timing of ministry.
v.21 3) The companion of God' s favor extends comfort to our heart in time of new challenge.
(and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.)
...- prison keeper likely not very trusting .... most likely a skeptic
Ask God to give you His favor in your trial and testing of faith.
Look for evidences of God’s favor to comfort your heart. ie. special protection, personal ministry, timeliness of God’s provision, joy of the spirit, abnormal trust of a superior, unusual blessings,
The Holy Spirit is our comforter. He will not leave us comfortless. John 14: 18; John 15: 26, 27; John 16
We are comforted by the evidences of God’s presence.
4) God's faithfulness extends to all circumstances.
(gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.)
God’s presence cannot be held back by man.
This type of prison situation was not known for its favor.
God can give His favor in any situation. God is faithful. Rely on His faithfulness.
God honors His word. God honors those who keep His word.
We must believe that and be committed to live thereby.
The honor of man is not a worthwhile reward. The honor of God is!
v.22 5) What the world accuses of being undependable God can depend upon. (and the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners … he was the doer of it.)
Joseph was falsely accused of not being trustworthy.
God’s trust of Joseph was shown in an unusual way. God does reward integrity.
God may not always allow us the glamorous recognition, (Potiphar’s house) but there will be reward (Potiphar’s house).
Ultimately heaven’s rewards if forthcoming.
That is where our treasures are to be laid up.
It is God’s reward we labor for, not man’s.
6) The ministry opportunity is not the issue, but faithfulness in that ministry opportunity is the issue.
(The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him,)
This doesn’t apply to a called type position or activity but what we are doing for God.
Joseph was not proud. He was willing for God to use him.
He desired to be a testimony to God wherever he was, everywhere he was.
He didn’t look at the prison opportunity as hopeless or degrading.
He looked at God and knew of God’s faithfulness, of God’s honor.
God desires our report of Him be one of counting Him to be faithful.
Rather than continually looking for a new ministry opportunity God wants our faithfulness in the ministry opportunity given.
No situation is too hard for God to prove Himself faithful and sovereign.
Victory comes from the hand of a faithful God when we serve through our ministry opportunity.
v.23 7) Where God ‘s presence is the greater, there may be the entrustment of responsibility to you.
(and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.)
because that person is committed to trusting God, to looking to Him, to follow Him,
Where God is present, He is revealing Himself.
God is granting His grace, His might, His wisdom.
What a blessing to be in such a situation.
We often covet greener pastures that in no way have such a rich reward of His presence.
God’s presence is immeasurably valuable to God’s child.
Seek his presence.
Matt. 6: 33 What God adds is your hope.
The prison days will end but you will exit convinced and assured of God’s presence and power readied for God’s added challenges of faith.
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