Imagine being Joseph. You were ripped from your comfortable home, despised by your own family, stripped of your colorful cloak, thrown into a muddy pit, robbed of your identity, and maliciously sold to an ancient slave market. Joseph had every reason to throw in the towel and forsake God’s name, but he didn’t. He kept believing that something better was coming. Ultimately, he landed in Egypt where he was purchased by Potiphar, a high-ranking official in the Pharaoh’s palace (Genesis 39:1-2).
Joseph was a slave to a wealthy ruler living on the King’s estate. This is far from ideal, but God was up to something. Everything Joseph touched turned into success.
Potiphar noticed his Midas touch, so he kept granting Joseph more freedom and more responsibility. Even though Joseph was sold into slavery, God used this sick situation to bless him. Joseph went from the pit to a palace.
What was Joseph’s key to prosperity? This passage gives us the secret ingredient to success by saying, “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did” (Genesis 39:2).
Joseph relied on God’s presence, despite his own powerlessness. I’m sure it wasn’t simple, but it led to success. God’s presence helped transform tragedy into victory. When he was in the pit, God was with him. When revenge robbed him of his identity, God was with him. When he was promoted in the house of royalty, God was with him. God was with Joseph.
God is with you too. When you find yourself in the pit of despair, God is with you. When you feel as though your life is directionless, God is with you. When tragedy takes over your home, God is with you. God was always with Joseph — in the good times and the bad times. God was with him in both the pain and the prosperity.
The same message is true for you. Strive to rely on God’s presence when you face pain and suffering. God will transform your setbacks into success. God loves redeeming seemingly hopeless situations. Just keep holding on. God is with you.