Genesis 39:3-5 -- On Prospering in Difficulty

"And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field."
Genesis 39:3-5


I like the idea that even though his brothers had sold him into slavery, that the Lord still could bless Joseph that everything prospered under his hand. 

At first it seemed like kind of a payback for the whole slavery thing, or something unique to Joseph that made it so that he could deliver so many people from a famine that the Lord knew would come. Then I remembered Jarom: "Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land" (Jarom 1:9).

Even though I don't have any doubt that Joseph was incredible, I love even more the idea that we can all have a similar blessing in our lives, making our difficult circumstances tolerable as well.

Today, let's keep Joseph in mind, and even if some of the circumstances of our lives are out of our control, as his were, let's make sure that the things we can control are dedicated to the Lord.  As we keep his commandments, he will help us to prosper.