Genesis 39:21-23

Brothers and sisters, today we look at a truth that every believer must hold onto: God is with us even in suffering. He does not abandon us in the trials of life. He does not forsake us when we walk through the valleys. He is not just the God of the mountaintop—He is the God of the prison, the God of the wilderness, the God who walks with us through every storm.

We have followed Joseph’s journey—betrayed by his own brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and now cast into prison. By every earthly measure, Joseph was a man forsaken. A man stripped of his freedom, his position, his very dignity. But let us turn to the Word.

Genesis 39:21 says, “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love.”

Oh, church, do you hear it? In the darkness of that prison cell, in the place where hope should have died, the Lord was with Joseph!

It does not say that Joseph felt the presence of God. It does not say that he understood why he was suffering. No, it simply says God was with him. And that was enough.

Too often, we equate God’s presence with our circumstances. If things are going well, we say, “God is with me.” But if trouble comes, we wonder, “Has God left me?” But I declare to you today—His presence is not dictated by our circumstances! He is there in the pit, He is there in the prison, and He is there in the palace!

And not only was God with Joseph, but the Bible tells us He showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the prison keeper.

Now, this is where the world cannot understand the ways of God. Joseph was still in prison—he was still bound in chains—yet the favor of the Lord was upon him. Sometimes, God’s blessing doesn’t look the way we expect it to. We think favor means an immediate rescue, an instant breakthrough. But sometimes, favor looks like endurance. Sometimes, favor looks like grace to stand in the fire without being consumed.

Joseph was placed in charge of all the prisoners. The very place meant to break him became the place where God positioned him. And Scripture says, “Whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.”

Now, hear me today—God was not just sustaining Joseph; He was preparing him.

Some of you are in a place of suffering right now, wondering why God has allowed it. You have prayed for deliverance, but instead of the prison doors opening, you are given responsibilities within your suffering. You are asking, why, Lord? Why am I still here? But I tell you—God is not wasting your pain. He is using it to position you.

Joseph was learning to lead, learning to manage, learning to navigate authority, because soon, God would place him over an entire nation. The very suffering that seemed to hold him back was actually shaping him for his future.

So, my brothers and sisters, do not despise the trials of today. Do not think that suffering means God is absent. He is with you. He is working. He is preparing you for what is to come.

Hold onto Him. Trust in His presence. Because the same God who was with Joseph in the prison would soon lift him up to the palace.

And what He did for Joseph, He will do for you.

Amen.