SCRIPTURE: Genesis 39
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. [Genesis 39:20-21]
Joseph’s life is a roller coaster experience.
Here we see his rise to prominence, and his subsequent fall.
Committed to integrity, he is betrayed and falsely accused and imprisoned.
But through it all, though everyone else lets him down, God stays true to him.
Four times we are told that the Lord is with him [vv.2,3,21,23].

A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. [John 16:32]
Jesus also experience the highs and lows of popularity and persecution.
Sometimes loved and praised by all, at other times accused and betrayed.
Even those close to Him let Him down, so that He was left standing alone.
But He too experienced what Joseph experienced – the Father was with Him.

The stories of Joseph and Jesus assure us that no matter how life in this world goes, God remains faithful and true.
We are never alone, even if it feels as if we are.
God is at work in and through our life, through good times and bad.
His purpose will be accomplished, our trials are not for nothing.
As we learn from both Joseph and Jesus, God had great plans through their trials.
God had something bigger and better in mind, though for a season they had to go through these tough times.

Are you going through a tough time?
Are you feeling betrayed, alone, unloved, rejected?
Do you feel as if your life has no purpose, that God does not have good plans for you?
Take comfort from these stories that God is always present and at work in our lives, whether we feel it or see it or not.
In Jesus especially we know that His suffering and death were for our own good.
He endured the worst for us so that we would not have to.
He accepted rejection and condemnation, so that we might be reconciled.
We are not alone, we are not abandoned, the Lord is with us.
The Lord is with us, the Lord is with us, the Lord is with us.
Four times to make the point.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [Romans 8:28]
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 8:38-39]

PRAYER:
Lord, please remind those that feel betrayed, abandoned, lonely, defeated, that You especially love them and are with them!