“And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison, But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison…the keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.” —Genesis 39:20,21,23
Think of the significance of these words.
Joseph is imprisoned, based on a false accusation. Potiphar’s wife tried to lure him into sexual sin, and when he refused, she scorned him and had her husband throw him in jail.
Yet, God displayed His grace to Joseph even as he was incarcerated in a primitive, harsh dungeon. God was with Joseph when he was exalted in Egypt, and now God entered the jail with him, to bless him even in the darkness of the cavern—with his feet in shackles and his neck in irons (Psalm 105:18). This shows how God is able to take injustice and use it in the lives of His children.
God does not leave us when everyone else does. Best of all, Joseph is an incredible example of integrity in the midst of a bitter trial.
After giving praise to God and yielding yourself to Him, adapt these verses to pray for yourself or a friend.
Let Us Pray
Father, I pray today for _____ and ask that You might give him/her great faith even if unjustly treated; show him/her steadfast love and favor in the sight of all who know them. Help them to resist sexual sin even as Joseph did. And when mistreated at school or work, help them to remember that they need not avenge themselves, because You are the avenger of all wrongs.
Give them such obvious integrity that others might trust them implicitly because they recognize that You are with them. Father, we know that integrity, once lost, is difficult to restore, so help them to resist all temptation that would compromise their moral and spiritual values—even when under pressure. And whatever they do, cause them to succeed in a way that reflects Your glory and favor.
Finally, may we always remember that Your presence is with us, even as You were with Joseph. May this assurance of Your constant presence keep us from sin and loneliness. Help us to enjoy Your company.
We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.