Genesis 39 - Honor over Prosperity

Joseph, sold into slavery had every right to feel victimized, abused, bitter and angry. This was not the stuff of the dreams he had been given by God where his brothers bowed down to him. Instead he was taken against his will and made to be a servant. Yet Joseph looked to God instead of dwelling on the unfairness of it all he focused on living well for God in his new circumstances.

Verses 2 - 6 outline how God remembered Joseph. Verse 2 he prospered; verse 3 the Lord granted him success; verse 4 he found favor and was given responsibility, verse 5 the entire household was blessed, verse 6 great authority given. Joseph had the entire package. We see he was even well built and handsome.

Joseph had what almost everyone prays for. Yet, when he was offered the forbidden fruit of his master's wife, his faith enabled him to reject it and flee even though it meant losing everything - prosperity, favor, authority and blessing. The only thing it seems he kept was his good looks. Joseph lost the respect of his master and quickly became imprisoned.

The character Joseph demonstrated only comes with a close walk with God. Our faith grows stronger as we consider how God moved in the lives of his servants throughout history and challenges us to follow their example.

Are you where you dreamed you would be as a youngster? Have your dreams fallen flat? Perhaps it is not a problem of our circumstances as much as our perspective. Joseph didn't know how God would work to bring his dream to pass he just knew it was directly from God and that He would bring it to pass. I believe even if Joseph had been given the dream of enslavement and hardship he still would have served God with all his might.

Living a life of character without compromise is an enormous undertaking and few succeed. The pull of our own selfish nature, the influences of the world and even Satan our enemy would press us to doubt, become discouraged and to give into the path of least resistance.

Joseph was not afraid of resistance because he was assured of the strength of his God. Romans 8:31 (NET)
"What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Joseph knew this principle well and we can too if we will diligently apply ourselves to live only for Christ.

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.