Read: Genesis 39:1-6, 20-23

In our prayers, we have the habit of praying, “May everything happen according to Your will.” We acknowledge that events will turn out best when God’s will is done and not ours.

Joseph would never have wished to be a slave in Egypt (Gen. 39:1). Despite his captivity, he prospered because “the Lord was with him” (Gen. 39:2). God even blessed his master Potiphar’s house “for Joseph’s sake” (Gen. 39:5). Later we see that he was falsely accused of sexual assault and thrown in prison. Again we read, “the Lord was with Joseph” (Gen. 39:21). The Lord gave him favour before the keeper of the prison, and we see that “whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper” (Gen. 39:23). What seemed to be a downward spiral in his life turned out to be the way to the top position in Egypt. Few people may gladly accept the way of promotion the way Joseph had. But we can trust that the God of Joseph is our God and that He blesses despite adverse situations.

God had a purpose in bringing Joseph to Egypt, and He has a purpose in placing us where we are. Instead of desiring continually that everything happened according to our desire, we can say as Jesus said, “not as I will, but as You will” (Matt. 26:39). Today it is far too easy to chase our desires and self-centred activities. Let us ask the Lord to help us place Him and His will first in our lives. Patiently waiting for God’s intervention is the indicator that one relies on God and trusts in His will.