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Monday September 1 - The Lord with Joseph The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered... Genesis 39:2
There have been seasons in my life when I’ve drawn great comfort and encouragement from Joseph’s story. Seasons when I’d felt confident that God had spoken, but then instead of seeing the good thing God had said come to pass, everything seemed to go wrong. Rather than seasons of growth and fruitfulness, these felt like times of disappointment. I’ve been encouraged by Joseph’s story because that must have been how he felt, after receiving prophetic dreams about having a position of power and prominence but then finding himself sold into slavery by his brothers. He must have felt hurt and alone, betrayed by his family – and abandoned by God.
But despite how his circumstances might have appeared to him, and to everyone else, the Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered. This makes clear that even in the most dire situations, even if we feel completely alone and abandoned, God is still with us. If we don’t turn our back on him, but instead stay faithful to him and his ways, he can cause us to prosper.
I pray that if you’re currently going through a season of disappointment and challenge, you can also take comfort and encouragement from Joseph’s story. God is faithful to bring you through, and although your circumstances may be far from ideal he can cause good things to happen around you and for you.
Lord God, thank you for the truth that you are always with me. Help me to receive and believe this. Amen.
Tuesday September 2 - The Lord blessed everything
From the time he put him in charge of his household... the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. Genesis 39:5
It seems as though Joseph, although in a situation he would never have chosen, worked hard and did his best. As a result, he was noticed and found favour in the eyes of Potiphar, his Egyptian master. A man of great importance, Potiphar would have had many other slaves, but it was Joseph whom he put in charge of his household and all that he owned. But we know it wasn’t just Joseph’s hard work that brought him such success; it was the Lord’s blessing that meant everything he did prospered.
As the people of God, like Joseph here, we are blessed in order to be a blessing. You don’t have to be the best at something, or the cleverest, for God to use you to bring blessing where you are. If you can demonstrate that you’re a person of integrity who can be trusted to do the right thing, you will find favour with others, be a channel God can work through, and quite likely be trusted with positions of responsibility.
In Colossians, the Apostle Paul instructs the slaves in the congregation saying, ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward’ (Colossians 3:23-24).
Heavenly Father, thank you that no matter what position I find myself in, when I commit my way to you and do my best, you will be working through me. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY