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The Joseph Process: Prison - Part One
By Janine Scott-Lowe, MD
Genesis 39:21-23: But the Lord was with Joseph [in prison] too, and was kind to him by giving him favor with the chief jailer...the jailer soon handed over the entire prison administration to Joseph, so that all the other prisoners were responsible to him...Joseph took care of everything and the Lord was with him so that everything ran smoothly and well.
Here Joseph is, sitting in prison because of being accused of a crime that he didn't commit. His master's wife had accused him of trying to rape her. He was unjustly convicted and thrown in jail. Imagine how he felt. This was not the first injustice done to him. Remember, because of his brothers' jealousy, he was thrown into a pit, then sold to traders who brought him to Egypt where he was bought by Potiphar and placed in his house. But, although Joseph kept having negative things happen to him, throughout them all, God was still with him. As Joseph had favor in Potiphar's house, being put in charge of the administration of his household and all of his business affairs, so Joseph also received the favor of the chief jailer, being put in charge of all in the jail. What was the result of this favor? "Everything ran smoothly and well."
Favor! Have you ever experienced God's favor? As a Donald Lawrence song says, "God's favor is more precious than life."
God's favor opens doors for you that would never normally be opened. God's favor causes others to act and to do good to you when they would otherwise not do so. God's favor makes things operate well and go well for you, when those who don't have it struggle or are otherwise frustrated. God's favor allows you to not only exist, but thrive in circumstances where others would fail.
Thank God for His favor. Let us remember that we may not be in the best of circumstances, but wherever we are, if we have God's favor, we can make it; and not just make it, but excel in those circumstances as well. May we all experience God's favor in our lives, so that others will see the good things that happen to us and know that the Lord is with us as He was with Joseph.
Matthew 5:16: Let your light shine before others so that they will see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.
God Bless!
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Janine Scott-Lowe, MD is a Family Physician who practices in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, taking care of the soldiers and family members of the famous 82nd Airborne Division. She has two beautiful daughters, Kendall and Katrina.
You can find more articles and information about Janine's books on her website:
http://www.hishandsextendedonline.com.
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