Genesis 39:1-6 God is with Us in Times of Trouble

When Joseph arrives in Egypt one of Pharaoh’s officials buys him from the Ishmaelites (Gen 39:1).

Can you imagine how Joseph feels? His own brothers sell him to the Ismaelites. Now he lives in a foreign land as a slave.

How would you and I feel in this situation? Would we be angry with our brothers? Would we shake our fists at God?

Verse 2 states a wonderful truth, “And the Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man” (Gen 39:2). When difficulties come our way we must always know that God is with us. He knows all about the situations we face; He is with us to comfort us and minister to us.

Potipher notices that Joseph is blessed, “Now His master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight” (3:3).

Life is not always fair. Although some Christians prosper and seem to live on top of the world, others find themselves in lonely jail cells tortured daily by their captors.

The Apostle Paul faced difficult situations in his day too. Here is how he responded, “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Cor 12:10).

You and I normally do not face situations as grave as Joseph’s or Paul’s, yet we do face the unfairness of and difficulties of life from time-to-time. The next time these things happen to us, how will we react?

Consider this sad but true observation. Some people face unfairness by shaking their fist at God and rejecting Him. Others face the same kind of unfairness by glorifying God and loving Him more. In the first case, the situation drives people away from God; in the second, they become closer to him.

Let’s remember that God is with us as we go about our activities today. Some of us may face unfairness or even persecution. Some of us may endure unexpected difficulty.

Whatever comes our way let’s remember Joseph. The Lord is with us. We will glorify Him and trust Him.