When Life’s Not Fair, God is Still There (Week 2 Sermon Recap)
Life handed Joseph a series of unfair blows—betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and later falsely accused and imprisoned. Yet his story reveals a powerful truth: when life isn't fair, God is still there.
God Shows Up in Unexpected Places
Even as a slave in Potiphar's house, "The Lord was with Joseph and he became a successful man" (Genesis 39:2-3). Everything Joseph touched prospered, and his master recognized God's favor on his life.
The lesson: God's presence isn't limited to comfortable circumstances. He meets us in our darkest valleys and most difficult seasons.
Blessings Flow Through Us
Notice that "The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph's sake" (v.5). God wasn't just blessing Joseph—He was using him to bless others who didn't even worship Him. This fulfilled God's promise that Abraham's descendants would bless the nations.
The lesson: God blesses us not just for our benefit, but so we can be a blessing to others.
Integrity Doesn't Guarantee Easy Outcomes
When Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, he refused, saying, "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" (v.9). His reward for doing right? False accusations and prison.
The lesson: Doing the right thing doesn't always lead to immediate reward, but God is working on a timeline beyond our immediate circumstances.
God Works in the Darkness
Even in prison, "the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love" (v.21). The prison keeper put Joseph in charge, and whatever he did succeeded.
As John Piper says, “When we can see God doing three or five things in our lives, He's actually doing 10,000 other things we cannot see.”
Reflecting Christ's Story
Joseph's journey—from abandonment to exaltation, from suffering to salvation—mirrors Christ's own path. Both experienced betrayal and injustice that positioned them to save countless lives.
Apply It Today
When facing unfair circumstances, remember:
God's presence doesn't depend on your circumstances. He's with you in dark moments.
Use your blessings to bless others. Let God's gifts flow through you.
Trust God's unseen work. He's weaving your story into His greater purposes.
Reflection Questions:
Where are you struggling with unfair circumstances?
How might God be present even when you can't see it?
What blessing could you use to bless others?
When life isn't fair—and it often isn't—God is still there, working, loving you.
