Iain Duguid writes,

“If there is one lesson that is central to the Joseph story, is it that God uses things that he hates to accomplish goals that he loves.”[1]

That's what we see in Genesis 39:1-23. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, became a slave, suffered temptation and false accusation and ended up in prison. And yet God was positioning and preparing Joseph. Similarly, that's what God is doing in our lives as well. God is preparing his people to discern his presence, see his purpose, and trust in his love.

One question is, are we able to discern God's presence right where God has us? Do we know that he is with us like he was with Joseph in his affliction? Our circumstances are a poor barometer of the presence of God. Our feelings are poor barometer of his presence. God’s promise to be with us is best indicator that he is. And God’s act of sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins is the proof of his promise.

A second question is, do we see his purpose and wisdom in where he has us? We are not living a life of random events and chance. We live under the hand of a sovereign God who is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Can we trust him even when we don't see or understand his purposes? Can we trust him when things get worse rather than better?

A third question is, do we know that he loves us no matter he brings us through? The LORD showed steadfast love to Joseph while he was in the lowest of the low (Genesis 39:21). These words are written here so that we too would be assured that God's love inescapable.

Ultimately, God's purpose to position and prepare us has everything to do with the work of Jesus Christ. No one was positioned or prepared more than he. And his work on the cross and resurrection is a greater assurance than the life of Joseph that he is with us, that is working things for our good and that he indeed loves us (Romans 5:8).

Have a blessed week!

[1] Iain Duguid, Living in the Light of Inextinguishable Hope: The Gospel According to Joseph (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2013), 57.