JOSEPH (Part 3)

Genesis 39:21 "But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison."

When finishing part 2, I was discussing Joseph's life as a slave to an Egyptian officer of Pharoah. 

The scripture we referenced stated that the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man. As I said in part 2, if we looked at things only through the natural eye, we could never view Joseph's life as successful while he was living life as a slave. 

The verse above again states that the Lord was with Joseph. 

Unlike the previous scripture used, this verse states that God showed him mercy. 

Joseph had undergone another radical change in his life that changed his circumstances drastically. 

While managing his master's household, he had been falsely accused of rape by the master's wife. 

Potiphar, Joseph's owner, immediately had Joseph thrown into prison for his alleged offense. 

Take note that the verse above makes no reference to Joseph's success, but instead speaks directly of God's mercy on Joseph. 

Joseph had now gone from a slave to a prisoner, yet he had committed no crime. 

Naysayers may look at Joseph's life and proclaim, “how can anyone call God merciful when Joseph has been handed such a poor run of events?” 

But wait. The end is better than the beginning! 

As a prisoner and slave , Joseph could have seen his situation as hopeless. Instead, he did his best with each small task given him. His diligence and positive attitude were soon noticed by the warden, who promoted him to prisoner administrator. Are you facing a seemingly hopeless predicament?

Follow Joseph's example by taking each small task and doing your best. Remember how God turned Joseph's situation around. He will see your efforts and can reverse even overwhelming odds.

You see, God was carrying out a divine plan in Joseph's life that was still difficult to see or understand. 

As Joseph walked through each season, he was careful to glorify God in his actions, doing everything as though God was his master. And that behaviour earned him favour with those he belonged to or worked for. 

Potiphar put him in charge of his entire household. 

The prison master put him in charge of all the prisoners.(to be continued)