Today you should read: Genesis 39:19-40:19
Everyone knows that guy. The guy who it seems life just goes against. So far, in Joseph’s life, he is the definition of that guy. That pattern is only strengthened in our passage today.
If you recall, Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. He gets bought by an officer of Pharaoh, Potiphar. By God’s grace, he found favor in this new position. But yesterday we saw that Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph of trying to initiate a romantic relationship with her. Because of this, he is thrown in prison for something he didn’t commit.
If you were to read this account with no other information, you would think that Joseph was someone who God had completely forgotten. Think about it: he was sold into slavery, falsely accused of making a romantic gesture, thrown into prison, and (according to our passage today) was forgotten by fellow inmates after he correctly predicted what would happen to them. Does that make anyone else feel a little less sorry for themselves? But notice what our passage says:
21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love…
That’s not necessarily intuitive based on the list of things that have gone against Joseph so far in his life.
But there in lies the beauty of who God is. The lie is that it is so easy for us to believe that we are alone in the messes of life. The truth is that God is with us just as much in seasons of hardship as in seasons of ease. Be encouraged today, that in Christ, we are shown the same steadfast love that was shown to Joseph.
- Throughout your life, how have you wrestled with difficult seasons?
- Is your first reaction to feel sorry for yourself, or remember that God is still present even in the mess?
By: Graham Withers
JumpstartCPC.com 
“But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him”
This was the king’s prison, which given that it was in the basement of Potiphar’s house, could have been worse. I’m guessing it’s not where the murderers were kept.
Studying through this passage a few years ago, a friend suggested that perhaps the choice of prisons indicates that Potiphar didn’t entirely believe his wife; so he chose to go easy on Joseph and put him in a cushy prison where he could keep an eye on him. Many times throughout life we will be accused falsely, but are we living with such integrity that those in a position of judgement doubt the accuser?
“Communion in sufferings helps to work compassion towards those that do suffer. To concern ourselves in the sorrows and troubles of others, and to enquire into the reason of the sadness of our brethren’s countenances; we should be often considering the tears of the oppressed. It is some relief to those that are in trouble to be taken notice of.
To enquire into the causes of our own sorrow, “Why do I look so sadly? Is there a reason? Is it a good reason? Is there not a reason for comfort sufficient to balance it, whatever it is? Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” – Matthew Henry
The devotional character of today’s passage is rich with encouragement today. Joseph had three days with the baker. What would you have done for the man?
As for the cupbearer, we must not expect too much from man, or too little from God. How many disappointments are met with the wrong expectation and therefore the wrong heart? The princely position of cupbearer fades the memory, but the Prince of Peace remembers our needs and hopes.
Thank you for Jumpstart today!
Just what I needed this morning. Currently going through a season where I’m not sure what the next move is. I’ve injured my knee, which has basically effected a majority of my life. I’ve had issues with finding the right doctors, tests not going so well, and the possibility of my insurance not covering any of it. All this to say, that I’ve been extremely frustrated and down on myself.
It could be WAY worse. I’m thankful for my family and friends, as well as my church family here at CPC. Thanks for the God lead words this am, Graham. Through these tough seasons in life, God is at the center and He has a plan.