True Prosperity When You're SufferingChikamu

Joseph: God’s Presence in Suffering

Listen to our friend Ogi tell Joseph’s story of suffering.

The complex story of Joseph demonstrates that in God’s sovereignty there are no guarantees of an easy life. Joseph endured physical and mental abuse from his brothers. He suffered as a slave and then as a prisoner after he was falsely accused. He suffered another two years in prison after he was told his case would be presented to the king.

But God is with us even at our lowest points. In Joseph’s suffering, all he had was God.

Joseph’s story gives us a model for how to endure suffering. He served in the house of Potiphar as a slave with no hope of being compensated or freed. Joseph then served his fellow prisoners and the warden while he was unjustly imprisoned. He modeled reliance on God despite difficult circumstances. Rather than succumbing to his circumstances, Joseph remained faithful to God.

And God showed Joseph favor and made his work flourish. The people he served noticed God’s presence with Joseph and how his work brought them prosperity. Joseph’s story shows us true prosperity—God’s presence even during our suffering.

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If you’d like to read more of Joseph’s story, you can start with Genesis 37 and 39–40. We’ll finish the second half of Joseph’s story tomorrow.