Joseph like Daniel was a man with an ‘excellent spirit’. He too was taken off into captivity as a young man to a country heavily demonised and into idolatry big time. He had every opportunity to turn his back on God and be angry, resentful, bitter and unforgiving and yet three times in this chapter it says the Lord was with Joseph. In fact it was so obvious to his master that the Lord was with him and prospering him that Potiphar entrusted his entire household to Joseph. Later Joseph was promoted to be second in the land to Pharaoh.
This sounds very similar to Daniel who also rose to great service in Babylon. Both of these young men could have just done the minimum required, kept a low profile and taken the attitude that since their masters were ungodly, idol worshipping pagans they would have as little to do with them as possible. Instead they sought to bless their masters by their excellent service and Godly witness. Nobody in either Egypt or Babylon was under any illusions who Daniel or Joseph served. There was no keeping their faith private for fear of ridicule or persecution. Both Daniel’s and Joseph’s faith was right out there blessing those over them. It also stood the test of false accusation, imprisonment and threat of death.
We can make such a difference in our situations with Godly, kind, loving, reliable and honest service to those over and around us. We can bless the most ungodly people with our excellent service and be such a wonderful light in dark situations. Resentfulness and bitterness breed a grudging attitude but God’s love can shine out in the darkest places. The Lord is with us and we do not need to fear. He will prosper us as we seek to serve him and bless those around us and he will never leave us or forsake us in the midst of difficulties and persecutions.
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