January 16, 2020: SOAP #3696:  Genesis 39-41; Luke 16

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 39:1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. …
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 warder.

Observation:  Joseph was sold into slavery to a caravan going to Egypt.  He was forcefully removed from his home and family, BUT he could not be removed from the presence and favor of God!

While in Egypt, Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison, BUT he could not be removed from the presence and favor of God!

God worked through Joseph’s troubles to place him in a location from which he could immediately ascend to be second in all of Egypt only to Pharaoh!

Application:   God still uses difficulties today to position His servants where they can best serve and bless others.  Troubles have been God’s way of positioning me many times.  I did not enjoy what was happening to me, but now that I have the benefit of seeing how it worked out, I can rejoice like Joseph.  (Genesis 45:5-8) God was in the details that were troubling me!  His presence never left me!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are sovereign over all the earth.  You never leave me.  When I take time to look, I can see your hand at work everywhere, even in my troubles. Holy Spirit, bring these truths to my mind when I am in the middle of trouble.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!