Mar 21

Genesis 39:1-23
Memorise Genesis 39:2-3
“The Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper”

The narrative now returns to Joseph. He was now in Egypt, as a slave to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. Despite being in a foreign land, far from friends and family, and all alone with no one to be accountable to, Joseph maintained a wonderful and blameless testimony. How was this possible? How did this young 17 year old youth not give up in despair and succumb to the temptations all around him? It was only because he knew that the Lord was with him, that he was able not only to survive but to thrive in this new environment that he was thrown into.

This understanding of God’s presence strengthened Joseph, and enabled him to do his best despite his adverse circumstances. He did this not to please his new master, but to please the master whom he had always been serving – God. Through his diligent and consistent service, even Potipher acknowledged that the Lord was with him, and because of that, “Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand” (Genesis 39:3).

Joseph was also able to resist temptation. As he served in his master’s household, he soon caught the attention of his master’s wife, who repeatedly demanded that he lie with her. Despite all that, he remained steadfast and refused to yield, for he told her “how can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:8). He knew that above all, he must continue to stay true to his convictions, for God above was watching, and knew all things.

When it seemed things could not get any worse, Joseph was accused of a crime he never committed and was cast into jail. Even in such circumstances, he remained faithful in whatever duties assigned to him. Yet the Lord never forsook him, for “the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (Genesis 39:21). He was soon promoted to a position of trust despite the grave nature of his alleged crime, and had all the other prisoners put under his charge. Indeed what a testimony of a young man who walked with the Lord. Dear teen, will you be like Joseph?

Thought: “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” – God
Prayer: Lord, I thank Thee for the wonderful promise of Thy presence.