GOD'S FAVOR

Genesis 39:19-23
19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, "This is how your slave treated me," he burned with anger. 20 Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; He showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 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. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Can you imagine being put in jail for a crime you didn't commit? That's exactly what happened to Joseph. The handsome young man refused the relentless sexual advances made by Mrs. Potiphar, because he was a man of integrity, and he chose to be faithful to God (Genesis 39:6-18).

What did he get in return for his faithfulness? Prison time! God's favor, however, was at work all the time. To be accused of rape or adultery was punishable by death or some other harsh penalty. Obviously, God's favor would not let Mr. Potiphar believe Joseph was guilty or that his wife was completely innocent. God was with him right there in jail. He allowed the jailer to see Joseph's integrity and managerial skills. Before long, Joseph had been promoted to inmate supervisor, and the Lord caused all he did to prosper.

Genesis 39 fits into the larger scheme of God's covenant plans for His people. It portrays how God, in His sovereignty, brings His mission to completion through what appear to be the most devastating of circumstances. God's favor can't be bound by chains. His favor will go down to the deepest and darkest places in our lives and cause us to prosper there--accomplishing His purposes and giving Him glory. God has a plan for His people, and no prison is too dark or too secure, and no charge is too unjust to thwart it.

Even though we're sometimes bound by the shackles of disappointment, discomfort, and difficulty, God's favor will not be restricted. It will not be chained. It will not be imprisoned. He will work on your behalf and even use obstacles--people, things, and circumstances--to bring His plans for your life to completion. --Marvin Williams

DESTINATION POINTS

* How does it make me feel to know that God's plan for my life may include years of disappointment, discomfort, and difficulty?
* When have I experienced the favor of God in a seemingly hopeless situation?
* What keeps me from believing that God will bring His plans for my life to completion?

LINKS:
Joseph: Overcoming Life's Challenges
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0715

bottom line: God will always bring His mission to fruition.

soul journey