<i>Genesis 39:20b-23 - But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. NIV</i></p><p>The story of Joseph is a roller coaster of ups and downs, highs and lows, victories and defeats. Joseph went from a life of privilege and favor to the depths of slavery and imprisonment. He was abandoned by his brothers and sold into slavery in another country where he knew no one. It would seem that he was in a situation where he was all alone, but time and time again throughout the story of his life the Scripture tells us that the Lord was with him.</p><p>While serving Potiphar, the Bible tells us that the Lord was with Joseph and he prospered. Everything that Joseph put his hand to do prospered to the point that Potiphar quickly placed him in charge of everything that he owned. That favor did not last long because Potiphar's wife noticed Joseph and tempted him to commit adultery with her. Day after day she tempted him and every day he did what was right. She falsely accused him of raping her and her husband threw him in prison for it.</p><p>This is where we pick up the story in our text today. Joseph's situation seemed to go from bad to worse. For the second time, favor had been stripped away from him unfairly. It is important to note the change of language that scripture uses as Joseph goes from slavery to prison. In Potiphar's house, it says that Joseph prospered and had success in everything that he did. In prison, it says that the Lord showed Joseph kindness and granted him favor and then it says that He gave him success in whatever he did.</p><p>Whatever situation that Joseph found himself in, God gave him exactly what he needed to succeed. For thirteen years Joseph suffered the consequences of injustice, yet he endured and God promoted him above his circumstances to the exact place that God was preparing him for all along. When difficulties and hardships come, even if injustices mount up against you, remember that the Lord is with you always and He is preparing you for the exact place that He has created you for. God did not call Joseph to be a spoiled daddy's boy, or a slave, or a prisoner. He called him to be a king that would save nations from starvation. The common thread throughout the story of Joseph's life was that the Lord was with him.</p><p><i>Rev. Stephen Hammond is the Senior Pastor of Bethel Community Church</i>