Earlier this week we started with the first two truths we can take away from the story of Joseph:

1. It doesn’t matter where you find yourself, God will show you favor!

2. When you are favored, everyone around you will be benefit!

This brings us to the next stage in Joseph’s journey and another promise. During Joseph’s time as a slave in Potiphar’s house, he was falsely accused of a crime and thrown into prison. I would think it in a public vote, prison would not be a place that many would chose to go. Yet, Joseph knew that God was with him and favor yet again followed him (see Genesis 40).

We see in Genesis chapter 40 that while in prison, Joseph interprets the dream of Pharaoh’s cup bearer. When the cup bearer was released, Joseph asked him, this man of power, to remember him. He didn’t and it says that Joseph remained in prison for two more years! We don’t see Joseph become discouraged or walking away from God during this time – he maintains his focus. This is where we find truth number three:

3. Even if a season persists longer than you think it should, it doesn’t mean God forgot about you!

No matter where things stand, when we keep our focus on Him, we allow an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power and ability to bring us through better than we could ever imagine.

I always am in awe when I read Ephesians 6 starting in verse 18:

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Here we see Paul in prison while he writes this. Notice what he asks those to pray for: that he may boldly proclaim the gospel!  If I were in prison writing this letter, I know I would be asking for others to pray for my release! Not Paul. He knows that his God will make all things good. That whatever the season, whatever the pain, whatever the trial if he keeps his eyes on Him – than it will all come together in a more miraculous way than he himself could conjure up.

Back to Joseph. A chapter later, we see his release as Pharaoh needs a dream interpreted and the cup bearer now remembers Joseph.

Pay attention to these verses in Chapter 41:

14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. 15And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” 16 So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Note his answer to Pharaoh in verse 16 as this is where we find the final truth:

4. Your position and ability mean nothing without God!

Joseph recognizes and emphasizes to Pharaoh that it is not him, but God who preforms! So many times we can allow our “position” or even our lack of “position” dictate our behavior. Remember, it is not your story – it is His story! If He is endorsing you, than it does not matter what your position is! Simply follow His command.

Question: How do you find encouragement from the story of Joseph?