God Is With Me!

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam referred to the life of Joseph. Joseph's birth is mentioned in Genesis chapter 30, and the remainder of his life story is found in chapters 37 and 39 through 50. Joseph was a man who had "God-consciousness"; that is, Joseph's rationale for his personal conduct was based not on the opinions of men, but on his relationship with God.

It is interesting to note that Joseph, in addition to having God-consciousness, was sin-conscious. His response to Potiphar's wife, "How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (39:9), indicated the he had not just a sense of the presence of God, but also had a knowledge of what pleased and displeased God. Long before God wrote His laws onto stone tablets, He chose to impress His laws upon Joseph's heart.

Joseph had a challenging life. He was hated by his brothers, sold into a foreign land, re-sold into slavery, sexually harassed by his supervisor's wife, falsely accused of attempted rape, falsely imprisoned, and lied to by his brothers for years after their reconciliation. But in spite of the pains he suffered, Scripture carries a powerful testimony:

• The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered.
• Joseph's master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did.
• The LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph.
• While Joseph was in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

Pastor Sam shared with us:
Sometimes it doesn't feel comfortable or easy, but God is still with us.

What about you? Are the laws of God impressed upon your heart? Are you assured of His presence with you, even in the worst of situations? Can it be said of you, as Pharaoh said of Joseph, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?" (41:38)

The LORD was with Joseph. The same LORD has promised to be with us. I pray that we will always be found in Him.

Lord, You have exhorted us to remain in You and to faithfully represent You at all times, regardless of the sufferings we experience in this life. Please give us Your grace to not only endure every crisis, but to live Your overcoming life in the midst of our struggles.