This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. After Joseph refused Mrs. Potiphar’s continuous advances, she falsely accused him of rape and Mr. Potiphar was furious. The Bible says:
Joseph’s master listened to what his wife said, and he became very angry. So Potiphar put Joseph into the prison where the king’s enemies were held, and that is where Joseph remained. The Lord was with Joseph and continued to show his kindness to him, so the commander of the prison guards began to like Joseph. (Gen 39:19-21 ERV). Another translation of verse 21 reads, “But the Lord was with Joseph, and was good to him, and made the keeper of the prison his friend.”
First Joseph was the favorite child in his father’s house. When he was thrown into a pit and sold as a slave he became a prosperous slave. When he was arrested and thrown into the king’s prison, he became a prosperous prisoner. See a pattern here? It does not matter what the enemy threw at Joseph, the hand of God was upon his life and he prospered everywhere he went.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God is always working. Joseph was probably thinking, “Here we go again.” He had not done anything wrong. He was actually being persecuted for doing right. He was imprisoned for maintaining his integrity. He was jailed for not violating God’s Word. But God was still working. Joseph was not incarcerated in ‘just any prison’. Because Joseph was working for Potiphar, the head of the king’s Secret Service, Joseph wound up in the prison reserved for enemies of the king. This would prove to be very important later. My point is that while you may not understand what it happening, God is playing chess (not checkers), and He always has a plan. God has a way of working it out for your good. It might be painful now, but in the end, vision gives pain a purpose.
2. There is a difference between reaping what you have sown and being persecuted for doing right. If you did something wrong, then you are simply reaping what you sowed. But if you operated in integrity and still experienced opposition, then you are being persecuted for God’s sake and God will ensure that you are protected through your situation. Paul knew what it was like to be persecuted for doing what was right and he said, “I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10). So if you know you have not done anything wrong, expect God to be with you and work for you, even while you are enduring the difficult situation.
3. God’s favor can do what your labor cannot. The favor of the Lord kicked in for Joseph again. Favor is when God moves on the hearts of people to use their power, their ability, and their influence to help you. God gave Joseph favor with the head of the prison (the warden). Before anyone knew it, the warden had placed all the prisoners under Joseph’s control, and he was responsible for the entire operation. The warden gave no attention to anything which was under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with him; and the Lord made everything Joseph did successful.
4. You are not the only one. As a child of God, when you are facing a big challenge, or going through the proverbial ‘storm’, the enemy attempts to make you feel like you are the only one going through what you are going through. Satan will attempt to make you accept your state as your fate, to embrace the pain, and to wallow in it. But you don’t have to. Your state is not your fate. You temporary pain will eventually give way to supernatural power. Your challenge is not indictment against your faithfulness. Joseph did nothing wrong and he wound up in prison. Jesus did nothing wrong and He wound up in the desert, being tempted of satan. Paul did nothing but preach the Gospel and he was brutally punished. But it worked out for Joseph, it worked out for Jesus, it worked out for Paul and it will work out for you! Lift up your head… God is STILL God and He is STILL WITH YOU!
5. Believe God for His grace to succeed. If God could make Joseph a prosperous slave and a prosperous prisoner, then He can surely give you the grace to prosper in your current situation. Believe the blessing is upon your life, walk in integrity, work hard by God’s grace and expect to prosper.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my purpose. I know I will not fulfill my purpose without opposition. Actually, I understand that the magnitude of my purpose will attract strong opposition from the enemy. Joseph was being attacked because of his divine purpose. Satan wanted to kill Joseph’s dream. But Joseph kept believing — no matter the situation — and his dream eventually came to pass. You gave Joseph your favor and grace every step of the way. You made Joseph his father’s favorite at home. When Joseph wound up a slave in Potiphar’s house, You made everything he touched prosper. When Joseph wound up in the royal prison, You gave him favor with the warden and Joseph wound up running a national penitentiary. Your favor did what His labor could never do and that is my testimony. I embrace Your grace. I enjoy Your favor. I have favor with God and man. I experience preferential treatment. The work of my hands is blessed by supernatural power. The meetings, conversations and activities I engage in at work are anointed to succeed. So no matter what I face and no matter how hard things get, I know You are with me, You are still working, You have a plan, and You will prosper me through it. I trust You Father. My confidence is IN You. I am excited about my future because I will get to live out what You already planned for me, and I will enjoy every step of the way. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
