The Lord Was With Him

Dear Lord; Happy Monday Father!

Wow Father, what a busy weekend!  Between projects for work, helping the kids with homework, cleaning, laundry, dishes and cooking I think the craziness at the office will seem a little easier this morning.  🙂  Either way, I was Blessed to spend lots of time with people I love and was wonderfully productive so for that I thank You!

Along with the plethora of activity this weekend Lord, I was able to spend some time with Your Book reading in Genesis.  For some reason, I was drawn to the narrative of Joseph and reread it several times.  It made enough of an impact on me Father, that with Your indulgence I’d like to discuss this important story this morning.

Following Joseph’s betrayal at the hands of his brothers and being sold into slavery, he was taken to Egypt and sold into the service of one of Pharaoh’s officials named Potiphar.

“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.  When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.  Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.  From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph.  The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.” – Genesis 39:2-5 (NIV)

This really struck several points with me Father.  First off, it must have been very obvious to Joseph’s master that You were with him to bestow that level of trust to a slave so quickly.  I so want Your Light to shine through me like that! Secondly, through the trust placed in Joseph by Potiphar, his household became Blessed as well.  This emphasized a very significant truth to me as well Lord; If we show Your Light to those around us, we Bless them as well!

But as you know Father, Joseph’s trials didn’t end there.  He was later falsely accused and imprisoned, and yet his faith in You was stalwart.  Even then, It was evident to the jailer that You were by his side and he was therefore placed in charge of the other prisoners.

“So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.” – Genesis 39:22 (NIV)

This position then led to his encounter with two of Pharaoh’s officials who had offended the king and been imprisoned for their indiscretions.  Through Your Voice, Joseph interpreted dreams from each man, the events of which then came to pass as described.  However, the official that had promised favor for Joseph upon his release quickly forgot his vow, and Joseph remained incarcerated for two more years.

And yet, Joseph’s faith never wavered.

Then Pharaoh had some dreams which left him troubled.  He called on the expertise of his magicians and wise men, but none could provide a meaning for the nighttime messages.  Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer, whom Joseph had aided those two years prior was suddenly reminded of his accurate reading, and made Pharaoh aware of Joseph’s ability.  Joseph was then summoned, and again through Your Voice was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams.  Yet again, Your Presence in Joseph was so obvious that Pharaoh placed him in charge of his palace and of all his subjects, second only in authority to the king.

“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”” – Genesis 41:39-40 (NIV)

With his newly found position, Joseph went to work preparing Egypt for the famine which had been prophesized to come.  Once again, Joseph’s rock-solid faith not only granted him Blessings in his own life, but also Blessed those around him as well.

Heavenly Father, thank You for placing Joseph’s example in my heart this weekend.  I pray that I can find the strength to be as faithful, as dedicated and as courageous as he was in Your Service.  May Your Light be that obvious in me, so those I encounter have no doubt of Your Influence in my life.  Amen.

~Phather Phil