Day 5
Read Genesis 37 and Genesis 39.
Wow, you want to talk about a tough childhood. Joseph, who is the son of Jacob, has been
through some tough times. His brothers hated him; they were going to leave him to die in the
wilderness but decided instead to sell him into slavery to the Midianites. The Midianites decide
to sell him to slavery in Egypt, where he ends up at an official’s house named Potiphar.
As if things couldn’t get worse, Joseph is just trying to do the right thing. He is an honest man of
integrity and Potiphar’s wife...is not to say the least. Because of this, Joseph ends up in prison
for something he never did! Then we have a glimmer of hope at the end chapter 39 in a
seemingly hopeless situation for Joseph.
Genesis 39:20-23
“But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and
granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all
those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden
paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave
him success in whatever he did.”
In all this chaos, it would be easy to think…where is God? Does he see how Joseph is suffering?
Does he even CARE that Joseph is suffering? And at the end of chapter 39 we get our answer,
the Lord was with Joseph. The Lord showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of
the prison ward. God hasn’t disappeared or left Joseph; he cares about everything that Joseph
has walked through, and He is with Him during it.
Even if things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows right now….here's a promise you can cling to
during difficult times in your life--the Lord is with you as well. Things may not always be perfect;
they may be very far from it. But the Lord our God will never leave you, nor forsake you
(Deuteronomy 31:6). His presence is enough to sustain you in the worst times of life. Take heart
and lean on His unwavering presence in your life.
Questions to consider.
1. Joseph suffered even though he did no wrong. How have you suffered for being a
Christian, even when you’ve done no wrong?
2. Have you felt like God has abandoned you before? If so, how can you cling to the promise
that He will never leave you nor forsake you in the future?
3. Reflect on all God has brought you through? Write down some moments that God’s
presence was sustaining you even when you didn’t realize it at the moment. Thank Him
for never leaving you, and ask Him to keep your heart on His promises.
Wow, you want to talk about a tough childhood. Joseph, who is the son of Jacob, has been
through some tough times. His brothers hated him; they were going to leave him to die in the
wilderness but decided instead to sell him into slavery to the Midianites. The Midianites decide
to sell him to slavery in Egypt, where he ends up at an official’s house named Potiphar.
As if things couldn’t get worse, Joseph is just trying to do the right thing. He is an honest man of
integrity and Potiphar’s wife...is not to say the least. Because of this, Joseph ends up in prison
for something he never did! Then we have a glimmer of hope at the end chapter 39 in a
seemingly hopeless situation for Joseph.
Genesis 39:20-23
“But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and
granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all
those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden
paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave
him success in whatever he did.”
In all this chaos, it would be easy to think…where is God? Does he see how Joseph is suffering?
Does he even CARE that Joseph is suffering? And at the end of chapter 39 we get our answer,
the Lord was with Joseph. The Lord showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of
the prison ward. God hasn’t disappeared or left Joseph; he cares about everything that Joseph
has walked through, and He is with Him during it.
Even if things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows right now….here's a promise you can cling to
during difficult times in your life--the Lord is with you as well. Things may not always be perfect;
they may be very far from it. But the Lord our God will never leave you, nor forsake you
(Deuteronomy 31:6). His presence is enough to sustain you in the worst times of life. Take heart
and lean on His unwavering presence in your life.
Questions to consider.
1. Joseph suffered even though he did no wrong. How have you suffered for being a
Christian, even when you’ve done no wrong?
2. Have you felt like God has abandoned you before? If so, how can you cling to the promise
that He will never leave you nor forsake you in the future?
3. Reflect on all God has brought you through? Write down some moments that God’s
presence was sustaining you even when you didn’t realize it at the moment. Thank Him
for never leaving you, and ask Him to keep your heart on His promises.