THERE IS NO GREATER BLESSING THAN THIS. Emmanuel, God with us. Joseph had been torn from his father, deprived of his home, sold for a slave, falsely accused, and cast into prison. But the Lord was with him. Many have experienced times of greatest trial, seasons of special testing. When persecuted for righteousness' sake, a special blessing rests upon us. The Lord's presence with Joseph made up for all the losses he sustained, for He will turn a prison into a palace, a dungeon into paradise. The Lord was with him to sustain him, to cheer him, to hold communion with him, to give him favour with the keeper, to teach him lessons of the greatest importance, to prepare him to rule over the land of Egypt, to make him an example to all who should suffer for His name's sake, to bring him forth with honour, and crown him with dignity. Before being exalted he must be humbled. The prison was the direct road to the palace. The way of the cross leads to the crown. If we would reign with Christ in heaven, we must suffer with Christ on earth. Beloved, wherever duty leads you, or persecution drives you, the Lord is with you. His presence is more frequently enjoyed under cloudy skies than when the sun of prosperity shines.

For Meditation:
Thy gracious presence, O my God
My every fear contains;
With Thee beneath affliction's rod,
My heart no more complains.