With his father, Joseph had favor. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. (Genesis 37:3 KJV)
When he was in the house of Potiphar, he had favor. And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. (Genesis 39:3-6 KJV)
When he was wrongfully condemned and imprisoned, he had favor. 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. But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 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. 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 39:20-23 KJV)
Finally, when he was elevated to #2 in the kingdom, he had favor. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:38-41, 44 KJV)
Be encouraged that, regardless of your surroundings and present condition, God's favor still abounds. Joseph's imprisonment set the stage for his greatest promotion. It took the events of just one day to raise Joseph from the pit to the palace. We've heard before that what looks like a setback, is only just a setup to receive honor and promotion from God. What appears to be your breaking point may be, in fact, your greatest breakthrough. Remember, when you feel that you have reached your lowest point, LOOK OUT and get ready to rise. God is working and moving beyond what we can even ask or think.
If I am allowed to make one final point, before closing this thought, it would be on the remarkable spirit of Joseph and his willingness to allow God's gift to work through him. God gave Joseph a gift of interpreting dreams. It was that very gift that caused him to be despised by his brothers and set off a series of events that forever altered his life. Because of his "dreams" he was abused and sold into slavery. And yet, if Joseph had begun himself to despise the gift, and see the gift as a curse perhaps he would have missed the opportunity of his greatest deliverance. What if he had refused to interpret the dream of the baker and the butler? He'd never had been in a position to interpret the dream of the King/Pharaoh. In short, what looks like a curse, or a useless endeavour can be the very thing to deliver you at the right time. My encouragement, to myself and others, continue to let God use the gifts he put in me. Though it looks like the gift may, in fact, be causing me pain, I'm convinced that through faithfulness, submission and a willingness to be used, God will wrought a GREAT deliverance, greater even than I've ever seen. Be blessed!- JAL
Psalm 75:6-7 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
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