Recognize the blessing

Genesis 39: 6a

So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had;  with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.  NIV

In the New Living Translation, this verse reads, “So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!” NLT

I found this verse this morning, by searching for the word “worry” in the NLT on Bible Gateway.com

I love the story of Joseph.  It is an amazing tale of God’s provision, and is a vivid example of God having all the pieces of the puzzle … Joseph certainly didn’t.  At this point in the story, he is a servant in the house of Potiphar.  Earlier in the chapter, we learn that God was with Joseph.  Verse 2 says, “The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered.”  It also says in verse 3, “the Lord gave him success in everything he did.”

The Lord gave him success …

When Potiphar saw this, he favored Joseph.  He put him in charge of the household, and entrusted to Joseph everything he owned.  From the time that he did this, according to verse 5, the Lord blessed Potiphar, too.  His blessing was on everything Potiphar owned, both in his house and in his field.

Potiphar had no worries, except what his next meal would be … note that it doesn’t say where his next meal would come from, but what he would eat … presumably there was more than enough of everything in Potiphar’s house.

The Lord was with Joseph … He gave him success … He blessed those who recognized Joseph … they were successful too, and had no worries.

Of course, this story doesn’t end well.  Part B of this verse says, “Now, Joseph was well built and handsome.” NIV  This fact did not escape the notice of Potiphar’s wife, who attempted to seduce Joseph.  When he refuses, she accuses him of rape and Joseph ended up in jail.

She was the wife of Potiphar … they had everything they could possibly need or want, and yet, she wanted more.

Her actions caused lots of worries for poor Joseph, but, God uses his experience in jail ultimately to achieve His plan for the Jewish people.  Throughout Joseph’s life as things happen to him, he continually sees that, even when others mean their actions to be hurtful — like his brothers who sold him to a band of gypsies — God works it for good.

God is with us, He is blessing us, whatever situation comes our way, God can and will work it for good.

There will be a blessing … there may already have been …

In my case, I’d often like the timing to be a little more immediate and/or the plan to be a little more clear, but, I’m learning to trust God.  He has it all in hand.

That’s what I’ll think about today.