Shalom! Blessed be the name of the Lord. You are welcome as we continue learning the Word of God, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Today, let us be reminded of how God works so that we may not fall into murmuring when life does not go as we expected. The life of Joseph in the Bible carries one of the most powerful lessons of how God can lift someone from despair and suffering to a place of honor and destiny. 1. God’s Presence Does Not Depart in Hard Times One of the most important things to note from Joseph’s life is this: In every stage he passed through, the Lord was with him. God never abandoned him. When Joseph was in Potiphar’s house—even though he was a slave—everything he did prospered. Perhaps the livestock he managed grew healthier and multiplied more than others. Maybe the fields he oversaw yielded more crops. Everything Joseph touched succeeded. That caught Potiphar’s attention, and he made Joseph overseer of his entire household. Genesis 39:2–6 (NKJV): “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man…And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand…So he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.” 2. God Was with Joseph Even in Prison Even when Joseph was falsely accused of attempted rape and thrown into prison, God did not forsake him. The prison warden, just like Potiphar, noticed that something was different about Joseph. Order was restored. Peace came. Productivity increased. Eventually, the warden put him in charge of the other prisoners—and everything ran smoothly. Again, this was evidence that God’s presence brings favor, even in chains. 3. Misconceptions About Suffering Among Christians Many believers wrongly assume that trials and low-status jobs mean God has abandoned them. If you’re a maid, a street sweeper, or you run a small food stall—people may say you are cursed or lack the “spirit of prosperity.” That is a lie from Satan. Joseph was not cursed for being sold into slavery. He was a descendant of Abraham—the blessed one. His circumstances were not a sign of God’s absence but a path God had ordained. If you are saved and walking in obedience to God’s Word, then God is with you right there—even in that humble job. 4. God’s Blessing Can Be Upon What Others Own—for Your Sake Notice something else profound: God didn’t prosper Joseph’s own assets—because he didn’t have any. Instead, God blessed Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. Likewise, the prison was blessed because Joseph was there. Genesis 39:5 (NKJV): “So it was, from the time he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake…” Sometimes God places you in someone else’s field to bless that field for your sake, and in due time, He will transition you into your own inheritance. 5. God’s Timing Is Better Than Our Own When the appointed time came—God’s time, not man’s—Joseph was exalted. The famine that affected the whole world was used by God to position Joseph as a savior, not just for Egypt but for many nations, including his own family. Now imagine if Joseph had been released early from Potiphar’s house and given personal freedom—maybe a home, wealth, and land. When the famine came, he could have died along with others. He would have missed the divine timing of his elevation. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV): “He has made everything beautiful in its time…” 6. God is With You—Everywhere and Always No matter what trial you’re in—be it grief, poverty, false accusations, or bondage—God is still with you. His presence does not depend on your status. It depends on your faithfulness and your position in Him through Christ. Psalm 139:5–12 (NKJV): “You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me…Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there…Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me…Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day;The darkness and the light are both alike to You.” 7. Be Encouraged and Remain Faithful To you who have chosen to deny yourself, to forsake the world and follow Jesus Christ—He is with you always. That is His promise. Matthew 28:20 (NIV): “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Do not compare your life with others. Focus on God’s purpose. Be content and faithful in what He has entrusted to you now. He will elevate you in His time. Final Word of Encouragement Stay humble. Do not grumble. If your leader enjoys working with you and sees results because of you, rejoice! That is evidence that God is working through you—just like Joseph. Don’t rush to “break free” if God has not finished His purpose in that place. He may be using your presence there to bless others until your appointed time comes. Trust in His timing. 📖 Supporting Scriptures for Further Study: Genesis 39 (The story of Joseph in Potiphar’s house and prison) Psalm 105:17–22 (God sent Joseph ahead to preserve lives) Romans 8:28 (All things work together for good…) Isaiah 55:8–9 (God’s ways are higher than ours) God bless you.Keep trusting, keep obeying, and stay in the presence of the Lord.