But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour…

Genesis 39:20b-21 NIV

The story of Joseph has it all – ups, downs, betrayal, reconciliation, tears, death… I can see why it was made into a musical! Several times throughout the narration we read that “the Lord was with him” and that God gave him success, showed him kindness, granted him favour…

Sometimes in our nice church bubbles we think that God being with us and granting us favour means that nothing will go wrong. No hardship will be faced and no tragedy or difficulty will need to be overcome. But the story of Joseph shows us that you can be left for dead, sold into slavery, wrongly accused, in prison, isolated and alone, and still God is with you and His favour can rest on you.

If you are facing a challenge right now, take heart that you are not alone in it. You might be walking through the darkest valley, but fear not, God is with you (Psalm 23). God is with you!