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From a human point of view, Joseph was in a horrible situation. A situation that easily could have caused him to despair. However, “The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man” (Genesis 39:2a) – even while living in a hostile and ungodly environment!
Furthermore, just as God had promised Abraham that He would bless him and make him a blessing (Genesis 12:1-3), so also here with Joseph. God’s favor toward Joseph is not just for him. Rather, he becomes a channel through which God’s blessings overflow to others. In this case, God blesses Potiphar’s house for the sake of Joseph (Genesis 39:5) —a theme that will be expanded on later in the narrative when all of Egypt, as well as its neighboring nations, will be blessed through Joseph’s God-given wisdom and insight (Genesis 41—47).
Joseph was faithful with the tasks that were entrusted to him, and he relied on God’s favor, which enabled him to experience success, even while in exile. Similarly, we also need to learn to be faithful within our current circumstances, even if we feel that we are not in the right place or that God has something better in store for us.
As it says in Ecclesiastes 9:10a, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” More specifically, as Christians, we should follow the instruction given to us by the Apostle Paul: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV).
• Reflection: What, do you think, does it take for you to be successful in your work? To what extent can you see God at work in what you are currently doing?
• Prayer: “Lord Jesus, thank you for the work that I am currently called to do. Guide me by your Holy Spirit on a daily basis, enable me to serve you well and give me favor with my supervisors and peers, so that I would be successful in my work and become a blessing to those around me.”
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About this Plan
It’s easy to give up on one’s dreams. It’s one thing to start with a great dream or with an inspiring vision. But then life happens, and life has a way of attacking, hindering and sometimes even destroying our dreams. In the face of adversity, it is crucial to hold on to what God has promised –and to be inspired by biblical role models like Joseph, who never gave up.
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