“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.”
—Genesis 39:2 NIV

Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob, was sold into slavery at the age of 17 by his jealous older brothers.

His story teaches us an important biblical truth: not everything is going to go our way. It would be nice if nothing bad happened to those who follow God, but unfortunately the Bible does not make any such promise.

But there is something else that is clear in Joseph’s story: in the midst of the pain and tragedies of his life, God never left him.

Joseph was a slave in a foreign land, but Genesis 39:2 tells us that he prospered.

How?

Because the Lord was with him.

And God’s presence changes everything.

Whatever situation you are facing today, declare with the Psalmist: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4a ESV).

Here is a short prayer to carry with you today:

Breathe in: I will not fear,
Breathe out: For you are with me