"And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand." (Genesis 39:3) Joseph deserves special recognition among the Patriarchs. His story encourages us, as he remained faithful in adversity and gracious in success. Yet we do disservice to the biblical message if we only see the circumstantial side of the story. The LORD was with him. It is always instructive to see how the rest of the Bible applies God's personal intervention in our lives. Please note the emphasis in these other key passages:

 

• Joshua (Joshua 6:27)—leadership fame
• Judah (the tribe in Judges 1:19)—military might
• Samuel (1 Samuel 3:19)—complete obedience
• David (1 Samuel 18:12)—God's favor
• Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:7)—leading a zealous revival
• Phineas (1 Chronicles 9:20)—wise leadership
• Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:3)—his faithfulness
• John the Baptist (Luke 1:66)—total commitment
• Scattered Jews (Acts 11:21)—their witness

Because God was with the various people, they were successful. Yet because they were obedient to God's use of them, God was with them. The Lord Jesus promised the saints: "I am with you always even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). But that promise is given to us as encouragement to teach all nations "to observe, all things" as the Lord Jesus commanded us—because all power (authority) is His, and His alone. If we "abide" in Christ, we can ask whatever we want "and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7). However, the absolute qualifier is the abiding. If we do not abide in Him, we cannot produce "fruit" (John 15:4). If we are "in the flesh," we "cannot please God" (Romans 8:8). God will be with us if, when, and as we are not "weary in we ll doing" (Galatians 6:9).