October 12th’s Streams in the Desert started with Genesis 39:20-23:

And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into a prison . . . But Jehovah was with Joseph . . . and that which he did, Jehovah made it to prosper.”

The writer then goes on to say, “When God lets us go to prison because we have been serving Him, and goes there with us, prison is about the most blessed place in the world that we could be,” and that Joseph “did not sulk and grow discouraged and rebellious because everything was against him.” Rather he “just turned over everything in joyous trust to God.”

Being the literal person that I am, the full weight of this devotional was almost lost on me as I knew I had never been in prison for the Lord and there was a pretty good chance I would leave this world without ever having to. But then I realized that wasn’t true.

Many of us find ourselves, or believe ourselves, to be a prisoner of our circumstances, our job, our location, our finances., or something else. We grumble and complain about where we are, what we are having to do, and what we are missing out on. And we often shake our fist at God for not providing some escape.

But if we are serving the Lord--wherever we are-- then God is with us, wanting to use us and our situation or position for His glory.

If we but change our perspective, we will realize that the only thing holding us prisoner is our own attitude, selfishness, and shortsightedness. Instead let us do as Joseph did—just turn everything over “joyous trust to God” and watch Him work.