January 11 ~ Genesis 37-45 ~

     The story of the life of Joseph is such an amazing example of God's love and grace in the darkest of times. How horrible when your own family plots to kill you and eventually sells you as a slave. It was no coincidence that the man who bought Joseph happened to be Potiphar, Pharaoh's second in command. Even in slavery, Joseph was blessed. Genesis 39:2,3 "But the Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand."

     Just when things were looking okay for Joseph, he finds himself in prison and by no fault of his own. But even in the darkest place, God was still with Joseph. Genesis 39:21 "But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer." In the darkest time in his life, God made a way for Joseph as he correctly interpreted Pharaoh's dream by the leading and instruction of the Holy Spirit. He found favor in Pharaoh's eyes, but it was because he first had favor with God. When God exalts you, He does so above and beyond what you could think or imagine! 

     When Joseph's brothers return to Egypt in need of food during the famine, Joseph tests his older brothers a bit. As he heard them speaking to one another, he realized that they had remorse for what they had done to him many years before. Imagine the shock to Joseph's brothers when he told them who he was. Years and years of guilt and grief washed away because of the goodness of God. How relieved they must have been to find their beloved brother not only alive, but thriving under the protection and promotion of the Lord. How awesome is God to place Joseph in the exact place and time to be able to restore his own people during a time of lack?! He ALWAYS has a plan to help us in our time of need!

     God can always take a situation meant for evil and not only restore, but bless for His good above and beyond what we could ask or think. We serve a mighty God Whose hand is MORE than able to lift you up out of any pit and place you right where He wants you to be, blessed, healthy and whole in every area of your life. No matter what kind of situation you may be in today, don't give up. Keep speaking your victory in faith, because God has a plan for you and it is one of VICTORY!!!