An Everywhere God

So [Joseph’s master] took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love.

Genesis 39:20–21 nlt

Pause

Joseph was a teenager when his jealous brothers turned on him. Their actions thrust him into slavery in a foreign country where he no doubt experienced culture shock. Then a false accusation landed him in prison where his captors bruised his feet in fetters and held his neck in an iron collar (Psalm 105:17–19).

Where was God when Joseph’s story went from bad to worse? He was present with him in the cell. The writer of this account mentions God’s presence three times. Repetition in Scripture indicates something significant. It’s like a light flashing to capture our attention. It says, “Don’t blow past these words. You need to understand their importance.”

Suffering might cause us to question God’s presence. Where is he? Has he forgotten me? Joseph’s story reminds us of the truth. His situation seemed hopeless, yet God was with him in his cell. He’s with us in our hard places, too, even when circumstances point to the opposite.

Ponder

How has God shown his faithful love in your situation?

Pray

Lord, thank you for your presence with me in this hard place.