In the Palace and the Prison

Joseph had the favor of God and yet was falsely accused and sent to prison for several years. David was anointed king, and yet waited over a decade to step into his role. The Israelites, God’s chosen people, were in slavery for over 400 years. If nothing is too hard for God, then why doesn’t he deliver us from hardships overnight? If the latest drone technology can deliver our order right to our doorstep within minutes, then why do some prayers go unanswered for years?

When I faced a prolonged season of suffering, I wondered why God was not answering my prayers. I wondered why he was doing this to me. But coming out on the other side of a lamenting season, I recognize God wasn’t doing something to me, he was answering what I asked of him. I wanted to know God more. I wanted my life to count. I wanted God’s favor and blessings wherever I go. I wasn’t prepared to see that it might take a desert or a prison for me to experience intimacy with God.

One way to understand the idea of God’s “favor” is to think of it in terms of intimacy with God. Not one of God’s children goes through a difficult time with God being unmoved. If God’s great servants have experienced trials, what makes me think his favor means my life is void of experiencing hardship? Many times hardship is evidence that he is with us.

Joseph’s life story provides a powerful example of the truth that God’s favor remains with his children wherever we go. The very same favor that Joseph experienced in the palace was with him inside the prison. Let us take our eyes off of our circumstances and base our understanding of God’s favor on his character, which is sure to remain steady, and with us, wherever we go.

Esther Fleece is the author of No More Faking Fine: Ending the Pretending (Zondervan). You can find Esther at www.EstherFleece.com and on Twitter at @EstherFleece.