He is with me….
all the time….
blessing me….
guiding me….
loving me…
As I read the story of Joseph in Genesis, I notice that one phrase keeps repeating itself – over and over.
“The Lord was with Joseph.”
Joseph lived in Old Testament times so the Holy Spirit had not yet come to live inside of every believer. God’s relationship with his people in the Old Testament was very different from now because sin was in the way. It explains why the Old Testament is full of violence, bloody animal sacrifices and killing. Our Righteous Father had to keep his distance. Jesus had not yet given up his life on the cross to pay for all of the sins of the world.
Even so, as we read through the Old Testament, God’s Spirit did come to earth at special times to be ‘with’ chosen people.
Joseph was one of them. And Joseph prospered even when his circumstances were not good.
I am so thankful to be living on earth after Jesus came because now the Holy Spirit is ‘with’ everyone who has accepted the free gift of salvation offered by Jesus and placed their faith in him. Everything good on earth comes from God – even when he doesn’t get the credit.
I am so grateful that the Holy Spirit is ‘with’ me every day – caring for me, counseling me and walking beside me.
And I prosper despite my circumstances….
because God is good, all the time.
Thank you, Abba Father.