SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1398

“The Lord Was With Him”

The Lord was with Joseph…- Genesis 39:2

This devotional was added to the timeline list in January 2025 for a release date in May 2026. Little did I know that I would be living the experience of this devotional topic as I write it.

I am currently sitting in the parking lot of an Auto Pawn business 400 plus miles from home with a broken-down truck and my travel trailer.

Preferred Son to Pit – Joseph was on top of his world as the preferred son and the envy of his brothers. Then suddenly, bad things happened to Joseph, and he was thrown into a pit and sold into slavery to become a servant of Potiphar.

So, when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. – Genesis 37:23-24

We did not see it coming either. On our way to a consulting job in Atlanta and having a great time when suddenly – transmission failure and we found ourselves desperately trying to claw our way out of the pit.

Take note that God’s Word tells us that the pit was empty and dry. There was nothing to harm him in the pit. Even in this dire circumstance, God was with Joseph.

The pit was empty; there was no water in it. – Genesis 37:24

Even so with us. God provided a convenient, safe, empty parking area for us to pull into. When we realized we could not get help, we noticed that He provided a private area on the side of the business that we could back into. He also provided an exterior electric outlet – that was working!

He provided the skills and knowledge to cobble a power cord adapter to power our camper air conditioner and keep our food refrigerated. He gave us favor with the business owner and the local police to remain there. Even in these unfortunate circumstances, God was with us and there is so much to be thankful for and praise Him.

Pit to Potiphar – Joseph was sold into slavery and became a servant of Potiphar, and the Lord gave him favor and success.

The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master…So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. – Genesis 39:2-4

We moved from the pit into a limited, but functional camping situation. This is our Potiphar experience. We had to cancel our appointments and reservations in the Atlanta area. God gave us favor with our client and he refused a full refund, opting to reschedule instead for a future date. The campgrounds either fully refunded our payment or gave us credit toward a future stay.

A local campground had a vacancy that we were able to book while the truck is being repaired.

God was with Joseph and He is with us to see us through this valley experience. Praise Him!

Potiphar to Prison – Joseph is comfortably cruising along in his newfound role and prosperity when suddenly, falsely accused of a crime he did not commit, he is thrown into prison. God never left Joseph and He continued to be with him in prison also.

And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. – Genesis 39:20-21

As I write this devotional, we are in our prison experience. Every avenue I have explored has resulted in dead end after dead end until this morning when I ran across a 24/7 towing company that can not only tow our truck to the dealer but also the travel trailer to the camp site where we will have to leave it until such time as our truck is repaired.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. – Psalm 20:7

We are learning from Joseph’s experience as we live through ours. We trust in Him to level the path and provide for us through our time in this prison.

Prison to Pharoah’s Preferred Servant – Although Joseph received favor in prison, he continued to suffer setbacks that kept him there until, in God’s perfect timing, a door opened for him to receive favor from Pharoah.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” – Genesis 41:39-41

We continue to await in anticipation for God’s perfect timing in delivering us through this challenging time. Is it fun to go from peaks to pits in life? No, it is not! But God’s Word tells us to expect it in this fallen world this side of heaven with Him.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

Times such as these teach us, and others, valuable lessons and build our faith and trust in God.

For I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content…I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:11-13