There is a story that we are all familiar with. It’s that of a young lad, that was envied, despised and hated, and was sold into slavery, by his own brothers. I could always picture in my mind, how this one that was still a teenager, was bound and tied, crying out pitifully, for his brothers to save him. That’s what envy will do. I don’t feel that he intended to offend his family; he was young. He couldn’t help, that he was very gifted.

And now comes that verse we heard ever so often, of how God will cause even our enemies, to be at peace with us. So, even at this lowest point, God protected Joseph, and caused him to prosper. God caused those around him, to have favor with him. He went in as a servant, and became the overseer for a man with position and power. Even when that wicked one tried to entrap him, and accused him and lied on him, God, was with him. Even when he was thrown into prison, God saw to it that he found favor there too.

The scripture said, that he was a goodly man, and those he came in contact with, were always blessed, because God was with him.

I have an idea, that the prisons of those days, were not the kind of place, where one would want to find themselves. But once more, he had the run of the entire quarters, and ended up running the whole prison. Again, he was a godly and good person; and God was with him, every step of the way. You see, God had a plan.

Because he used the gifts that had been given him, he was hauled up out of his confinement. You see, word does get around. The man he said would be restored, was supposed to remember him when he was returned to his position. He had to wait a longer time than he likely should have. But again, he was not being mistreated in that place; he was running it, all by himself. Moreover, because of the gifts he had been endowed with, he was promoted to 2nd in Command, of the entire kingdom. That plan, was still in motion.

I feel to encourage someone today, as I also need encouragement even for myself. God, knew the ending. I’m not sure that Joseph always knew He was there; but He was. Just as so many of us have sometimes thought that God had forsaken us, and that we would never rise above the heartbreak and pain. It’s gonna turn out. I don’t know how, but I yet believe it is. Much like the prophet’s servant, we could not see the angels that have encamped around about us. Sometimes, we still can’t.

But God is not a man, that He should lie; and, whatever He told us He would do, He will do it.

~ Robert Blackburn

Robert Blackburn