Christian Devotional – November 2, 2018

Joseph in jail. Probably not exactly the place he thought he’d end up back so many years ago when he was dreaming about stacks of wheat and stars all bowing before him. Yet here he is, falsely accused, stuck in an Egyptian prison. Read Genesis 39:21-23.

But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.
Genesis 39:21 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.39.21.NASB

Joseph could have gotten angry and bitter. He could have lashed out at his guards and his jailers. Joseph could have rejected God as a result of all that he is going through. But he didn’t do any of that. He just got busy acting out God’s principles and as God blessed him, the jailer took notice and promoted him to number 1 prisoner.

Still, it’s interesting that in verse 21, it indicates that God is the one who is extending kindness to Joseph. It never says that the jailer extends kindness. The jailer extends responsibility, but it is God who extends the kindness.

Most of us would think the kindest thing would have been to remove Joseph from jail. How could it actually be kindness to keep him there? God knew the whole plan and knew that he actually had Joseph exactly where He wanted him to be. When we are following Christ, the kindest, most loving thing that God can do is place us exactly where we can impact the most people for His glory. It wasn’t the easiest thing, but it was the right thing and God showed His kindness by doing it. God gave Joseph the strength to help him go through the situation, but He didn’t remove it.

Are we exactly where God wants us to be? Do we rest in Him knowing that even prison is the best place for us if that is what God’s plan is? The kindest thing God can do for us is keep us exactly in His will, even if that means prison.