Genesis 39

God’s presence in every season

The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. ~ Genesis 39:2

 When I read the story of Joseph in Genesis 39, I am reminded that success in God’s eyes is not about where we are but about who is with us. Joseph was a slave in Potiphar’s house, yet the Bible says he was successful because the Lord was with him. That tells me that true success is not tied to position or circumstance but to God’s presence in our lives.

In my own life, there were many times where circumstances did not look like success on the outside. Times when I felt overlooked, undervalued, or placed in situations that felt far from what I believed God had planned for me to be. But it was in those very moments that I experienced God’s presence the most. Looking back, I can see how His hand was on me, shaping me, strengthening me, and preparing me for what was ahead. Those were the times that His presence mattered much more than my position.

For you today, maybe you feel stuck in a place you did not plan to be. Maybe your circumstances do not look like what you prayed for, or maybe you are facing unfair treatment as Joseph did when he was falsely accused and put in prison. Remember this truth, the presence of God is not limited by your location, your title, or even the opinions of others. When the Lord is with you, He gives you favor, wisdom, and strength to rise above every challenge.

Here are some ways you can get started when your circumstances feel far from successful:

• Start your day by inviting God’s presence into every area of your life through prayer.
• Read Genesis 39 slowly and notice every time it says “the Lord was with Joseph,” then write down what that means for you personally.
• Choose to do your best in your current situation, no matter how small or unfair it feels, trusting that God sees and rewards faithfulness.
• Thank God for His favor and provision in your life even if you cannot yet see the outcome.
• Share with someone how God’s presence has carried you through a difficult time, and encourage them to trust Him in their unnoticed times.

Today I want to encourage you to see your circumstances through the lens of God’s presence. You may not be where you hoped to be, but if the Lord is with you, you are already successful in His eyes. Like Joseph, you may be in a season of waiting or trial, but God is shaping your character and preparing you for what He has promised. His presence is your success, His favor is your strength, and His hand will lead you into your future.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 39

1 When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.

2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 

3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 

4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 

5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 

6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!

Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, 

7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.

8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 

9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. 

11 One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. 

12 She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.

13 When she saw that she was holding his cloak and he had fled, 

14 she called out to her servants. Soon all the men came running. “Look!” she said. “My husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to make fools of us! He came into my room to rape me, but I screamed. 

15 When he heard me scream, he ran outside and got away, but he left his cloak behind with me.”

16 She kept the cloak with her until her husband came home. 

17 Then she told him her story. “That Hebrew slave you’ve brought into our house tried to come in and fool around with me,” she said. 

18 “But when I screamed, he ran outside, leaving his cloak with me!”

19 Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 

20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. 

21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 

22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 

23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

 Journal:

• What area of my life right now feels unfair or difficult?
• How can I invite God’s presence into it to trust Him the way Joseph did?