God's Faithfulness Amidst Joseph's Trials and Temptations

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Presence Brings True Success, Even in Suffering

Even when circumstances seem stacked against you, God’s covenant love and presence are the true source of success and blessing. Joseph’s rise from slave to overseer in Potiphar’s house was not due to his background, skills, or favorable conditions, but because “the Lord was with Joseph.” God’s faithfulness to His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was at work, blessing Joseph and, through him, blessing others—even in a foreign land and in the midst of hardship. Your circumstances do not limit God’s faithfulness; His presence is not bound by your location, status, or comfort. Trust that God is with you, shaping you for His purposes, and that His blessings can flow through you to others, no matter where you find yourself. [43:51]

Genesis 39:2-6 (ESV)
The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to stop measuring God’s faithfulness by your circumstances and instead trust that His presence is with you, even when things are hard?

Day 2: God’s Presence Gives Strength to Resist Temptation

God’s covenant love and nearness are not only for times of blessing, but also for the battles we face against temptation. Joseph faced relentless, daily temptation from Potiphar’s wife, yet his loyalty to God and awareness of God’s presence gave him the strength to refuse her advances. He recognized that sin is ultimately against God, and his love for God compelled him to choose integrity over fleeting pleasure, even at great personal cost. Like Joseph, you are not left to fight temptation alone—God’s Spirit and His faithfulness are your strength. Remembering God’s goodness and presence is the foundation for resisting sin and walking in holiness. [01:00:30]

Genesis 39:7-12 (ESV)
And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her. But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.

Reflection: What is one temptation you are facing today, and how can you actively remember God’s faithfulness and presence to help you resist it?

Day 3: Faithfulness May Be Costly, But God Remains With You

Choosing integrity and faithfulness to God does not always lead to immediate reward; sometimes it leads to misunderstanding, false accusation, or even suffering. Joseph’s refusal to sin resulted in him being slandered, stripped of his position, and thrown into prison. Yet, even in the darkness of injustice and loss, God’s steadfast love did not leave him. The Lord was with Joseph in the pit, in the palace, and in the prison, extending kindness and favor even in the lowest places. When you suffer for doing what is right, remember that God’s love never abandons you—He is shaping you for His purposes, and your faithfulness is never wasted in His sight. [01:15:34]

1 Peter 2:19-21 (ESV)
For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Reflection: Is there a place in your life where doing the right thing has cost you? How can you rest in God’s presence and steadfast love, even when others misunderstand or mistreat you?

Day 4: God’s Love Transforms Suffering Into Purpose

God’s steadfast love does not always spare us from suffering, but it never leaves us in it. Through Joseph’s story, we see that God can transform pits and prisons into platforms for His glory and for the shaping of our character. Even when life makes no sense and dreams seem shattered, God is at work in the darkness, preparing you for what is next and using your trials for a greater purpose. Like Joseph, and ultimately like Jesus, who suffered injustice and yet accomplished redemption through it, you can trust that God is present and working for good, even when you cannot see it. [01:26:36]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: Think of a current or past season of suffering—how might God be shaping you or preparing you for something greater through it?

Day 5: Be Faithful Where God Has Placed You

No matter where you find yourself—whether in a place of blessing, obscurity, or hardship—God calls you to be faithful right where you are. Joseph honored God as a slave, as a prisoner, and later as a leader, trusting that God saw him and was with him in every circumstance. Your value and success are not determined by your position or recognition, but by your faithfulness to God and your willingness to bless others with what He has given you. Rest in His steadfast love, knowing that He will never leave you nor forsake you, and let your confidence be rooted in His presence, not your performance or situation. [01:29:59]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to shift your focus from recognition or results to simple faithfulness, trusting that God sees and values your obedience?

Sermon Summary

Genesis 39 tells the story of Joseph, a man who did the right thing again and again, yet found himself betrayed, enslaved, falsely accused, and imprisoned. This narrative is not just about Joseph’s suffering, but about the steadfast love and presence of God that accompanied him through every trial. Even when Joseph’s circumstances went from bad to worse, God was not absent. Instead, God was actively working out a long-range plan for Joseph’s good and for the salvation of many.

Joseph’s journey from favored son to slave in Potiphar’s house, and then to prisoner, is a powerful reminder that God’s covenant love is not limited by our location, status, or circumstances. The Lord was with Joseph in every place, and it was God’s presence—not Joseph’s abilities or circumstances—that brought true success and blessing. Potiphar recognized that the Lord was with Joseph, and because of Joseph, Potiphar’s entire household was blessed. This is a living example of God’s promise to Abraham: that through his descendants, all nations would be blessed.

Yet, Joseph’s integrity was tested. Potiphar’s wife relentlessly tempted him, but Joseph’s loyalty to God gave him the strength to resist. He understood that sin is ultimately against God, and his love for God was the foundation of his resistance. Even when his righteousness led to false accusation and imprisonment, Joseph chose to lose his reputation and position rather than compromise his integrity.

In the darkness of prison, God’s steadfast love did not leave Joseph. The Lord extended kindness to him, granting him favor with the prison warden, and once again, Joseph was entrusted with responsibility and authority. God’s presence transformed Joseph’s suffering into a platform for His glory and purpose.

This story challenges us to see our own suffering through the lens of God’s faithfulness. Our circumstances are not the measure of God’s love. His presence is our strength in temptation, our hope in suffering, and our calling to be a blessing wherever we are. Like Joseph, we are invited to trust, to be faithful, and to rest in the unchanging love of God, knowing that He is shaping us for His purposes—even when we cannot see it.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s presence is the true source of success and blessing, regardless of our circumstances. Joseph’s rise in Potiphar’s house was not due to favorable conditions, but because the Lord was with him. Our measure of God’s faithfulness should not be our comfort or status, but His unchanging presence and covenant love that follows us wherever we go. [43:51]
2. Integrity often comes at a cost, but it is rooted in loyalty to God above all else. Joseph’s refusal to sin with Potiphar’s wife was not just about moral rules, but about honoring the God who had been faithful to him. True resistance to temptation begins with a deep love for God, which outweighs the fleeting pleasures or the fear of losing reputation or position. [60:30]
3. Temptation is persistent and often subtle, but God’s presence gives us strength to endure. Joseph faced relentless pressure, yet his faithfulness was sustained by his awareness of God’s nearness. Our greatest defense against sin is not our own willpower, but a heart anchored in God’s faithfulness and a conscience sensitive to His presence. [78:45]
4. God’s steadfast love does not always spare us from suffering, but it never leaves us in it. Joseph’s journey through betrayal, slavery, and prison was not meaningless; God was shaping him for a greater purpose. In the same way, our suffering can become a platform for God’s glory and a means by which He prepares us for what lies ahead. [82:00]
5. Faithfulness is required wherever God places us, not just where we want to be. Joseph honored God in the pit, in Potiphar’s house, and in prison. Whether we are seen or unseen, appreciated or mistreated, God calls us to be faithful where we are, trusting that He sees us and is working out His purposes through our lives. [86:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:30] - When Doing Right Goes Wrong
[36:30] - Joseph’s Story and God’s Long-Range Plan
[39:21] - God’s Sovereignty in Suffering
[40:19] - Joseph in Potiphar’s House
[42:11] - The Lord Was With Joseph
[43:51] - Covenant Blessing and True Success
[46:09] - Joseph’s Rise to Authority
[48:11] - Joseph as a Channel of Blessing
[51:57] - God’s Love Is Not Limited by Circumstance
[55:02] - The Temptation of Joseph
[57:17] - God’s Presence in the Battle with Temptation
[59:31] - Integrity and the Cost of Righteousness
[66:15] - False Accusation and Injustice
[75:34] - Suffering, Faithfulness, and God’s Presence
[86:36] - Encouragement for Seasons of Suffering
[89:59] - Prayer and Response

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Genesis 39, what repeated phrase shows up to describe Joseph’s situation, both in Potiphar’s house and in prison? What does this phrase emphasize about Joseph’s success?
According to the sermon, what specific ways did Potiphar’s household benefit from Joseph’s presence?
How does Joseph respond to Potiphar’s wife’s repeated advances, and what reasons does he give for his refusal?
What happens to Joseph after he resists temptation, and how does God respond to him in that new situation?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says Joseph’s success was not due to his circumstances or abilities, but to God’s presence. Why is this distinction important for understanding the story?
Joseph says, “How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” What does this reveal about his view of sin and his relationship with God?
The sermon points out that Joseph’s integrity cost him his reputation and position. Why might God allow faithfulness to result in suffering or loss, rather than immediate reward?
The pastor said, “God’s steadfast love does not always spare us from suffering, but it never leaves us in it.” How does this truth shape the way we view our own hardships?

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that “our circumstances are not the measure of God’s love.” When have you been tempted to judge God’s love by your comfort or success? How can you remind yourself of His presence in hard times?
Joseph’s loyalty to God was the foundation of his resistance to temptation. Is there a temptation you are facing where remembering God’s faithfulness could help you say no? What would it look like to anchor your choices in love for God this week?
The story shows that integrity can come at a cost—Joseph lost his reputation and position. Are there areas in your life where doing the right thing might cost you something? What fears or obstacles make it hard to choose integrity?
Joseph was a blessing to others wherever he was placed, even in difficult or unfair situations. How can you be a blessing to those around you, even if you feel unseen, unappreciated, or mistreated?
The sermon encouraged us to “be faithful where God has placed you, not just where you want to be.” Is there a situation in your life right now where you need to practice faithfulness, even though it’s not where you hoped to be?
The pastor said, “God’s presence is our strength in temptation.” What practical steps can you take to become more aware of God’s nearness when you are tempted or discouraged?
Joseph’s suffering became a platform for God’s glory and a means of preparation for the future. Looking back, can you see a time when God used a hard season in your life for a greater purpose? How might your current struggles be shaping you for what’s ahead?

Sermon Clips

Joseph's success is not explained by his favorable conditions because he didn't have any. He was a slave. It's not explained by his pedigree because he's not Egyptian. He's he's Hebrew. And was explained by any prominence, any reputation. The only thing that made for Joseph's success is clear here is Yahweh's presence, the Lord's presence. And I want you to clearly see the cause and effect here. Yahweh's presence. [00:43:51] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

Now, this teaches us a very important spiritual application that I want you to see here, is that God's faithful love to us is not limited by location or our circumstance. It's not limited by conditions. [00:52:28] (17 seconds) Edit Clip

Don't be like the world who are just trying to accumulate and save up so they could have bigger barns and more fields. But see, everything that the Lord blesses you with is a chance to bless other people. [00:55:02] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

God's presence was with Joseph in his prosperity, in his success, but he's also going to be with him in his suffering. God's presence wasn't just for blessing, it was for battle. I guess that's one thing I want you to catch. God's with you to help you battle sin and temptation. [00:57:58] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

how will you resist I want you to start there remembering that you are bought with the precious blood of Christ the sins that he paid for that sent him to the cross there to be found nowhere in our lives including the sin here the sin of some sexual immorality and as Paul said resist it flee from it put as much distance as you can from it don't don't see how close you can get to it put as much distance as you can from it pursue holiness glorify God in your body moving on I want you to see that this is the second time that Joseph has been stripped of his clothes the first one was without his will without his consent by his deceiving brothers as they were betraying him they stripped him of his robe but this time he's been stripped of his robe by conniving seductress who just wants to control him this time as opposed to the first time Joseph willingly loses his garment in order to keep his integrity I think that's I think that's metaphorical for what are you willing to lose for your integrity what part of your reputation and your possessions are you willing to lose in order to keep your integrity [01:05:15] (84 seconds) Edit Clip

joseph acted righteously he did the right thing he did what scripture would call every man in this room to to do and yet he was falsely accused anyway lost his reputation in the house lost his reputation with his master lost his position lost his freedom again so when we resist sin take sin and temptation we may lose we may lose our reputation we may lose opportunities at work we may lose wealth we may lose possessions but god will never fail you the next thing i want you to learn is that sin is primarily against god joseph makes that very clear and that's how that's what he bases his decision on because his loyalty to god drove him compelled him strengthened him in his resistance to temptation how could i do this against god [01:17:43] (60 seconds) Edit Clip

he transforms our pits and our prisons into platforms for his glory glory think about that whatever pit you're in whatever prison you're in i know what god wants to accomplish through it he wants to mold you for his purposes and he wants to receive glory out of your life and again your current suffering may not make any sense now i get it i i have questions all the time nothing makes sense right now but it's part of what god is using to prepare you for the next step think about that again you can almost imagine joseph in that prison cell asking god why am i here why why did you bring me here what happened to those dreams you gave me right i'm supposed to supposed to have authority i'm supposed to have power and here i am in a prison may look like he's failed but he hasn't god's with him every step of the way i think about christ on the cross right he asked the question lord why have you forsaken me [01:24:01] (70 seconds) Edit Clip

jesus christ was also falsely accused right he was sentenced not just to prison but to death and not because he did anything is because what we did right but in the darkest moment of all that the darkest moment in the history god accomplished his greatest work he accomplished our redemption on the cross that good friday jesus is the the truer and greater example of joseph right because he suffered not only for the injustice of that woman but christ suffered for the injustice of all mankind and he didn't just endure the wrath of potiphar and the wrath of pharaoh he endured the wrath of god for us he did this so that we could be brought near with with god so what is true of joseph the lord was with him could be true of us the lord is with you the lord is with us if god's love didn't spare his own son suffering what how should that color our perspective on our own suffering [01:25:29] (65 seconds) Edit Clip

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