Joy in Prison
When God is with us, even the most difficult circumstances can become a blessed place of joy and freedom.
Charles E. Cowman preaches on the story of Joseph, highlighting how even in difficult circumstances like being in prison, God's presence can bring blessings and prosperity. Joseph's attitude of trust and joy in God's plan allowed him to thrive even in captivity, showing the importance of avoiding self-pity and fully trusting in God's sovereignty. The sermon emphasizes the need to surrender to God's will, allowing Him to work through us even in the midst of challenging situations.
Text
"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" (Gen. 39:20-23).
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 in. Joseph seems to have known that. He did not sulk and grow discouraged and rebellious because ."everything was against him." If he had, the prison-keeper would never have trusted him so. Joseph does not even seem to have pitied himself.
Let us remember that if self-pity is allowed to set in, that is the end of us--until it is cast utterly from us. Joseph just turned over everything in joyous trust to God, and so the keeper of the prison turned over everything to Joseph. Lord Jesus, when the prison doors close in on me, keep me trusting, and keep my joy full and abounding. Prosper Thy work through me in prison: even there, make me free indeed.--Selected
A little bird I am,
Shut from the fields of air,
And in my cage I sit and sing
To Him who placed me there;
Well pleased a prisoner to be,
Because, my God, it pleaseth Thee.
My cage confines me round,
Abroad I cannot fly,
But though my wing is closely bound,
My soul is at liberty;
For prison walls cannot control
The flight, the freedom of the soul.
I have learnt to love the darkness of sorrow; there you see the brightness of His face.--Madame Guyon
Sermon Outline
- The Blessing of Prison
- When God lets us go to prison, He goes with us
- Joseph's experience in prison
- The importance of trust and joy in prison
Key Quotes
“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 in.” — Charles E. Cowman
“For prison walls cannot control the flight, the freedom of the soul.” — Charles E. Cowman
“I have learnt to love the darkness of sorrow; there you see the brightness of His face.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- We must learn to trust in God even when everything seems against us.
- Joy and freedom are possible even in the darkest of circumstances when we trust in God.
- Self-pity can lead to discouragement and rebellion, but trust in God leads to joy and freedom.