Greatest Blessing: “God Is With Us”

<Genesis 39> 1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 

3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 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. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.

20 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. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.

Greatest blessing – “The Lord was with Joseph”.

• He became a “successful” man.
• Our greatest blessing: “God is with us”.

Affirming God’s presence not only during good, but also bad times.

• If God was with Joseph, why still sufferings?
• Present trials >>> equipped for future fulfilment
• Blessing is not far and not in future, but in the Lord who is with us right now.
• Interpret our circumstances by God’s love, not God’s love by our circumstances.
• Biblical success/prosperity:
  • Not about wealth, possessions, rosy situations.
  • Not the absence of troubles, but God’s providence even in adversities.
  • Not about having good things, but having God Himself.
  • A “successful man”: believes in God, knows who he is in Christ, enjoys the unique blessings given to a child of God, fulfills God’s will.

The impact of God’s presence.

• Obvious situational evidences.
• Strengthened inner spirit.
• Faithfulness in little things.
• Integrity and clean heart.
• God’s blessings flow through us to others.

Joseph and Jesus.

• v5: From the time that Potiphar made Joseph overseer in his house and over all that he had … the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had
• How much more if we make Jesus the Overseer of our lives and everything we have?

Reflection

1. Honestly, can you agree that the presence of God is your greatest blessing? Or are there other blessings more attractive to you? How can you confirm that God is with you, even during hard times?
2. What impact does God’s presence have on you?
3. Have you put Jesus in charge of all you have? Share how from the day you made Jesus Overseer of your life, the Lord’s blessings come upon you.