In the Midst of Present Life

The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph's charge because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper. Genesis 39:23 (New American Standard Bible)

I could write a book on the treasures found in Genesis 39. As I read it, my mind races from scene to scene trying to grasp all the nuances of truth that flow from each verse. Joseph, in the midst of captivity and imprisonment, experiences the presence of God, privilege, position, prosperity, favor, and trust (first as a slave then as a prisoner). Whether it was Potipher’s house or Pharoah’s prison, his captor’s saw that God was with him and caused whatever he did to prosper. They both put Joseph in charge of everything they owned. Who, but God, knew these places of imprisonment were training grounds for when Joseph would later be in charge of Egypt?

If I read this aspect of Joseph’s life and come away thinking how nice that was for Joseph, but fail to see personal application for myself, I have reduced my time in Scripture to mere reading and historical fact finding. God wants more for me and so do I! He wants me to embrace the truth that when life is hard or unfair, He is with me. When I am in the midst of my own places of bondage, He is with me. When my present circumstances are dark and the light of my future looks dim, He is with me. When the people in my life seem to hold control over my life, He is with me. When the freedom to be what I want, do what I want, and go where I want is limited for the time being, He is with me. When I am living with the painful consequences of choices made by me or others, He is with me. When I am separated from the ones I love, He is with me. When I don’t understand what is happening, He is with me. When I don’t experience change in my situation, He is with me. His presence rather than my problem or “prison” must be the ruling factor of my life!

I also want to begin living with an awareness of how God prospers the things I do. Asking Him to open my eyes to the moments of promotion, favor, and positions He affords to me now and the preparation being done in me for what lies ahead. Joseph’s time of preparation and training was approximately 13 years not counting his pre-Egypt days. Mine has been 6. When I stand in the place He is right now preparing me for, I want to exclaim with passion, “I KNEW You could do this, God!” rather than gasp with amazement, “I had no idea!”

Father, fill me with the wonder of Your presence in my life and the adventure of Your work in me! Lead me out of my own thoughts of mediocrity and insignificance into the very essence and preciousness of being Your cherished daughter! Amen.

My Life is in Your Hands - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlmYxZAgrGI&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.