Confined for a Purpose

Genesis 39-41; Luke 16 

“Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison…’…I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.’”

Genesis 39:20; 40:15

Joseph’s enslavement, confinement, and mistreatment were all allowed by God for a future promotion, assignment, and saving of many people. Our confining tests must also be seen as the Lord’s sovereign preparation and refinement of our lives for his glory. We, too, might protest that we have “done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon;” but our full story has not yet been told. If we will choose to surrender to the Lord in our circumstances, and choose to bless, honor, and forgive those who have confined us, we, too, will live a testimony of God’s saving, transforming power. The tests God allows in our lives can be his greatest gifts to us if we respond with humility.

From what “dungeon” does the Lord want to redeem to develop godly character, perseverance, and hope, for his glory?

“Lord Jesus, I offer my confining circumstances to you, for your glory.