As I mentioned in the devotional “God’s Purpose for Your Placement,” Joseph was forced out of Potiphar’s home into prison. Nothing about that abrupt change in his life denoted promotion. In fact, it appeared as if he was regressing. But God’s purpose for Joseph’s life included several transitions – such as going to prison. He wasn’t being punished. He was being transitioned to function in his next assignment.
It’s easy to read about Joseph’s life. We can rush through the difficult chapters while knowing how his story ends. We extract powerful spiritual truths from his ups and downs – and I’m blessed by his process.
But, like Joseph, we can experience repeated setbacks after what appears to be the change we’ve been praying for the Lord to release in our lives. Like Joseph, we don’t always understand God’s purpose behind life’s shifts. But, saints of God, as you walk through your day, God oversees all that transpires. He will use the lies that were told, the inappropriate actions taken, and the backlash that sent your life reeling, forcing you to regroup and start over. Again. All of those things and more are transitional vehicles to get you in place for your next assignment.
Joseph wouldn’t have been able to hear the dreams of the imprisoned butler and baker if he hadn’t been lied on. Sometimes, we get so focused on who did what to us that we can’t focus enough to see the Lord’s hand. I recall when I was lied on, and the lie was spread across a social media platform. Ohh, how I wailed. Why, Lord – silence the liar, Lord. He didn’t stop the lies or the liar. I later learned how the Lord used the lies to cause a chain of reactions from people I did not know, producing a harvest of relationships I would never have the pleasure of being a part of without the lies. Yes, it blistered my very heart at the time. But, then, I had no idea a magnificent blessing would be birthed.
No, Joseph wasn’t excited about his new low. He’d already been through so much, and now this. But, even in that, God blessed him and gave him favor with the jailor. His presence (and the gift of interpreting dreams) would also be a transitional vehicle in his life. But he had to endure some very dark, difficult seasons until God transitioned him to the eventual assignment of governor of Egypt.
I’m just stopping by today to encourage you that God has not forgotten you and the transitions you have undergone. He is using everything to get you where He has decreed you will be. You may not understand, appreciate, or care at the moment. Still, God’s hand is on you and has strategically placed you in every moment. Where will you end up – exactly where God has transitioned for you to be.
11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.20 And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.21 But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper. Genesis 39:11-23 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Pastor/Author Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)