Joseph in Egypt

How is This Success?

Do you ever feel as though life is conspiring against you?

As though “the fates” 

     are making life more difficult than it should be?

Consider Joseph:

Sold as a slave into Egypt by his ten older brothers.

Thought to be dead by his father.

Serving God in a hidden, unseen place.

Accused of attempted rape.

Thrown into prison for a crime he didn't commit.

But the Bible calls him a success, 

     even in the middle of this mess.

The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered... 

the LORD was with him and… 

the LORD gave him success in everything he did... 

the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian 

     because of Joseph. 

The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had... (Genesis 39:2-5 NIV)

But while Joseph was there in the prison, 

     the LORD was with him... 

          and granted him favor 

               in the eyes of the prison warden... 

the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success 

     in whatever he did. (Genesis 39:20-23)

What kind of success is this?

Despite family betrayal, enslavement,

     false accusation and imprisonment

God was with Joseph and gave him success.

Eventually he became the Number 2 guy in Egypt,

     where he brought blessing to a whole nation

          and saved his father and brother and their families.

This is how success works 

     in the upside down kingdom of God.