Genesis 39:23 (Originally written 1-16-11)

The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Which is, if you think about it, a confusing statement.

Twice in this chapter, it says God gave Joseph success in whatever he did. The first time it says it, he’s just been sold by his brothers into slavery. But you think, “At least he was sold to a good master and is getting to sleep in the house and have real responsibility.”

But the second time? I mean, Dude’s in jail. He’s gone from slave to prisoner. And the text says God is giving him success?

Sounds like we can have success even when things aren’t going well. Success means something different than we normally define it.

God’s version of success is obviously not about stuff, power or even freedom. It’s not even about receiving blessings, because Joseph’s “blessings” are landing on someone else, first Potiphar, now the warden.

But God is with him in slavery and He’s with him in the prison, and so he’s finding success.

So, is it possible that even when I’m struggling, in God’s eyes I could be successful? That the dark times that are preparatory for great blessing can be times of “success”?

Sure seems like it. And makes me re-evaluate all my ministries and all my seasons in those ministries. And maybe I should judge their success not on how well things went for me, but on whether God was using me during those times to bless others.

[Father, thank You that even during my “dark” periods of ministry, You were giving me success because You were using me to bless others. Help me to always be successful that way–and to always see it as success.]