In Genesis chapter 39 we read the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife. Joseph was a slave in Potiphar's house who was sexually pursued by Potiphar's wife. Joseph rebuffed her advances.
Unjust Accusations
Then one day, after failing to entice him, she angrily decided to lie and told her husband that Joseph had attempted to have sex with her. At this point, Joseph was thrown in prison. So Joseph, who had been faithful to God and had not sinned by having sex with another man's wife, was in jail.
Would he have felt abandoned by God? Would he have felt like this was an unfair thing to have happen since he had done everything that God had commanded? Would preachers today tell him that if he remained faithful he would "live his best life" and never experience hardship and failure?
Faithfulness
We have all experienced downturns that have seemed unfair. When we are faithful, we often think God will protect us and save us from all the bad in this world. God's plans are more complex. God works things out in His time and in His way, not ours.
But back to Joseph. Joseph's entire life was one of great pain and great success. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, God worked in ways that Joseph could not imagine. Do we see God at work in our lives? Do we see the good that has come from tragedy?
While Joseph was in jail we are told this:
"But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper." Genesis 39: 21-23
We are not told that Joseph cried and complained to God about his unfair circumstances. What we are told is that "the Lord was with Joseph". God supernaturally intervened in Joseph's circumstances to benefit Joseph and his people.
Eventually, Joseph comes to the attention of Pharoah himself and literally becomes Pharoah's right hand man. Ultimately, Joseph is able to come to the aid of his brothers (who initially don't recognize him) to save them and the Israelites from starvation.
In Genesis 50:20, Joseph tells his brothers:
"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."
God uses these terrible circumstances, slavery and unfair imprisonment, to elevate Joseph to a position where he could, quite literally, save the Israelites from starvation. This sets into motion circumstances that lead to the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt and eventually their escape and creation of their nation.
Wait on the Lord
When we find ourselves in a place where we find our faithfulness seemingly rewarded with evil, will we wait on the Lord? Have we learned to trust God like Joseph did? The Hebrews in slavery in Egypt waited 400 years for their deliverance. Will we remember God's faithfulness? Do we complain and moan and sigh when our road is difficult, or do we recognize that God is faithful and true in the midst of our suffering?
In Isaiah 25:1, the prophet praises and exalts God for the wonderful things He has done. He proclaims God's faithfulness. He remembers the "counsels of old". It is important for us to remember the many times God has been faithful to us. How easy it is to forget.
Great is thy Faithfulness
For Joseph, as for you and I today, God is in control and good can come from what was meant for evil, if we love Him, if we are "called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) What a great example of God's faithfulness is seen in Joseph. Great is thy faithfulness, O Lord.
"Lord, we trust you today because you are faithful, and we know your faithfulness never runs dry. We love you and we remember you, we remember all that you are, and we remember all that you have done today. Amen"
- Prayer from Alesha Headley
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