God is With Us

By: Jenifer Metzger

But the Lord was with Joseph and

extended kindness to him. He granted

him favor with the prison warden.

Genesis 39:21 CSB

If you are following along with our 2026 Bible reading plan, this week we are in Genesis and reading about Joseph. Joseph is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. But when I read his story, I think, mercy, he sure went through a lot.

Joseph begins his life being loved and cherished by his parents, he even received his famous coat of many colors. But the extra attention he gets from his parents doesn't earn him any brownie points with his brothers. In fact, once Joseph begins to have dreams -visions from the Lord- his brothers downright hate him. They torture him and end up selling him. Once sold, he finds himself as a slave.

While serving Pharoah, life seems to be settling in and although still a slave, he is trusted and respected by Pharoah. That is, until Pharoah's wife gets involved. She had a thing for Joseph, but he knew better. He knew that falling for her would be disrespecting Pharoah and disobeying God. But Pharoah's wife finds a way to get back at him by lying about him and getting Joseph thrown into prison.

It seems like Joseph cannot catch a break! His brothers' evil rips him from his family and the woman's evil lands him in jail. Yet, when we read Genesis 39:21 we see that God was still with Joseph.

Joseph could have been killed when his brothers tortured him, in fact, that was their original plan. But God was with him. He could have been killed by an animal while waiting in the pit. But God was with him. He could have been sold as a slave to a harsh owner. But God was with him. He could have been mistreated in prison by a harsh warden. But God was with him. He could have died in prison. But God was with him.

God was with Joseph every step of the way. As we continue to read in Genesis, Joseph gets released from prison where he interprets Pharoah's dream. This earns him a place as second in command to the Pharoah and later on he is reconnected with his family.

You planned evil against me; God

planned it for good to bring about the

present result—the survival of many people.

Genesis 50:20 CSB

Joseph recognized that God was with him throughout all that happened to him. He knew that everything that happened to him was used by God for His plan and His glory. He wasn't angry or bitter. He didn't hold a grudge against his brothers or Pharoah's wife. He gave glory to God.

God can use our situations too. God doesn't cause the evil against us. He doesn't cause the chaos and trials. But He can use them for His plan and His glory. We simply need to continue to live for Him through our hardships. We need to stay in the Word, pray, and be faithful to God, then everything we are facing, God can use. When we get to the other side of our trial, we can look and see how God was with us just as He was with Joseph. 

So friend, whatever trial you are facing, no matter how hard life seems right now, stay the course. Keep your eyes and heart firmly fixed on God and trust that whatever you are going through can be used for God's purpose and glory.

Discussion:
1. Think of a trial you've faced in the past. Now that you are on the other side, do you see how God used it for His plan or glory?
2. Think of a trial you are facing now. Go to the Bible and find Scriptures that will help you walk through your situation. Write the Scriptures out and read them every day.