The Lord is With You. Genesis 39 and 40.

Who is your favorite person in the Bible—excluding Jesus, the God-Man? Mine has always been Joseph, and I began reading his story today: a gifted dreamer, super-talented, picked-on, and misunderstood. And righteous. What a man of INTEGRITY.

But though sold into slavery in a foreign, pagan land, he was never alone, not even in the Egyptian prison. When Joseph worked in Potiphar’s house, Genesis 39:2 says “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man.” Other versions say “God made whatever he did to prosper.” I think Joseph knew that. He knew it was not just him or his brains or talents. Throughout his life, when dreams needed to interpreted, Joseph always told the dreamers that “interpretations belong to God” (40:8; see also 41:16). He knew it was never about him.

So God was with Joseph and Joseph knew it. Sometimes I find myself praying that way—that God would be with me as He was with my hero, Joseph.

When Potiphar threw Joseph into prison, chapter 39 repeats the chorus: “The Lord was with Joseph, and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden” (v. 21). That’s amazing. Imagine having God as your social coordinator, blessing your relationships with people and causing them to view you in a positive light. Sometimes I pray this too: “God, grant me favor in the eyes of so-and-so….” And He can do it. Honestly, I know He has done it. While I may be tempted to look at myself and see only failure, I know that there are a lot of people who have high opinions of me. God HAS granted me favor in their eyes.

Finally, it says again, “THE LORD MADE EVERYTHING THAT HE DID SUCCESSFUL” (39:23). Boy, have I prayed for that over the years. I need success. Don’t we all? I need to do well, earn a raise and a bonus, pay bills on time, and take care of dozens of responsibilities that God has given me to steward. You better believe I’m praying for God to bless me and to “make everything I do successful.” Amen.

Dear Lord, like Jabez, I pray, “Oh, that thou wouldst bless me indeed!” We need your blessings, Lord. Make our efforts successful. Bless us in our jobs, our schoolwork, our hobbies, our home. May people see JESUS in us, through our love and patience and forgiveness and grace and integrity and our servant hearts. Be with us, God, and make us successful for YOUR GLORY, not our own.

ΑΩ