Genesis: The Story of God's FaithfulnessSample

GOD’S PRESENCE 

Listen to the audio guide to hear the complete devotional with Scripture, teaching and a worship song! Find a condensed, written version of this devotional below: 

Life is full of ups and downs. The second we feel like everything is in control, we get hit with an unexpected circumstance. Or the moment everything feels like it’s falling apart, we suddenly receive an opportunity. In the passage we just read, we see that Joseph has a lot of ups and downs in his life; however, we also see that God’s presence anchors him through it all.

Throughout this account, Joseph goes from favorite son to slave....from successful employee to falsely-accused offender...from an immigrant prisoner to second in command over all of Egypt. But through every high and low, we see that Joseph has God’s presence with him. And God’s presence enables him to flourish in any circumstance. 

To clarify, God’s presence does not guarantee easy circumstances. Being sold into slavery, falsely convicted, and thrown into prison are less than ideal circumstances. Again, God’s presence enables Joseph to flourish in any circumstance. As a hated younger brother, Joseph is protected by God’s presence and kept safe in God’s sovereign plan. As a slave, Joseph is enabled by God’s presence to have success and to be a blessing to those around him. As a prisoner, Joseph is equipped by God’s presence to find good repute with others and to serve as an asset to Pharaoh. And as a ruler, Joseph is empowered by God’s presence to lead with wisdom and humility. 

Believers today have the same constant presence of God in their lives. In life’s storm of fluctuating circumstances, we can lift our eyes above the waves and fix them on God’s unwavering presence with us. We can say as Paul does in Philipians, “I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” 

REFLECT: Think back on your life (you could go back a few weeks, months or years or even decades) and reflect on all the change that has occurred. How did God’s presence manifest itself throughout these circumstances? Thank God for his constant, loving presence with you.