The God Who Goes with Us

Before Joseph ever stood in a palace, he was just a seventeen-year-old boy with a dream.

Genesis introduces him as the beloved son of Jacob—the child of his father’s old age, wrapped in the affection of a parent who couldn’t help but show it. Jacob gave Joseph a special robe, woven with colors and care, and it marked him as set apart (Genesis 37:3, ESV).

But the blessing that set Joseph apart also set him at odds. His brothers noticed the favor. They noticed the robe. And when Joseph began sharing the dreams God had given him—dreams of sheaves of grain and stars bowing down—they noticed that too (Genesis 37:5–11, ESV).

Joseph didn’t ask for the dreams. He didn’t write the script. God was the One who chose to reveal a future of authority and influence. But like many of us when we first glimpse a calling, Joseph spoke before he had the wisdom to carry what he’d been given. His words sounded like self-promotion, and his brothers’ resentment deepened into hatred.

It’s easy to read this and think, “Well, that’s Joseph’s story.” But the truth is, we all face moments where our gifts, our dreams, or even our identity sets us apart—and sometimes that draws criticism, jealousy, or rejection. I remember a season in my life when I stepped into a new role I longed for, only to find doors closing and people questioning my ability. I felt stripped, like my dream was slipping away before it even had a chance. Maybe you’ve felt that too.

The Wilderness Begins

Jealousy turned to violence. One day, sent to check on his brothers in the fields, Joseph found himself ambushed. The robe was stripped from his shoulders. He was thrown into a pit. And when a caravan of traders passed by, his brothers sold him as a slave (Genesis 37:23–28, ESV). In an instant, Joseph lost everything familiar—his home, his freedom, his father’s love close at hand.

If the dream was about Joseph’s greatness, it should have died right there. But God had not abandoned him. Even in the darkest chapter, the Author of the story was still writing.

Think about your own life. Have you ever felt thrown into a pit? Perhaps you lost a job, a relationship, or a sense of security. Maybe you’ve been betrayed, overlooked, or misunderstood. In those moments, it’s tempting to believe the dream is dead. But Joseph’s story whispers the opposite: God’s presence hasn’t left.

Genesis 39 opens with words that almost don’t seem to fit the scene:
“The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man” (Genesis 39:2, ESV).

Successful? In slavery? Scripture shows us that God’s definition of success isn’t a title or a position—it’s His presence with us, no matter the circumstances.

Pause here for a moment. Where do you see God’s presence in your current season? Even small moments of grace, endurance, or insight are ways He is with you, shaping you for what’s ahead.

The God Who Goes With Us

From the pit to Potiphar’s house, from the prison to Pharaoh’s palace, the refrain remains the same:
The Lord was with Joseph (Genesis 39:2, 21, 23, ESV).
Through betrayal. Through temptation. Through injustice. Through waiting.

The God who gave the dream didn’t leave when the dream looked impossible. He went with Joseph into every chapter. And that same God goes with us. Maybe your wilderness looks different—it’s not a pit or prison—but it’s just as real: a medical diagnosis, an empty bank account, an unfulfilled plan. God goes there too.

I’ve had seasons where I felt that presence most profoundly in the waiting—those quiet, frustrating days when it seemed like nothing was happening. And yet, looking back, I can see how those days shaped me: patience, endurance, humility, and dependence on God became my portion long before the dream was realized.

Stripped, But Not Abandoned

Joseph lost almost everything in a single moment. By human standards, he was ruined. The dream looked dead.

And yet, Scripture interrupts that tragedy with this declaration:
“The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man” (Genesis 39:2, ESV).

That truth is for us. Even when everything seems stripped away, God’s presence is unshakable. The wilderness doesn’t cancel His plans; it cultivates them.

Take a moment to reflect: What have you felt stripped of recently? Maybe your confidence, your role, or even a dream itself? Could it be that God is using this wilderness to shape you, not to abandon you? How can you lean into His presence today, instead of measuring your worth or progress by what’s visible?

The Wilderness is Where Presence Becomes the Treasure

In Potiphar’s house, Joseph learned integrity. In prison, Joseph learned faithfulness when no one applauded. In waiting, he learned dependence on God’s timing.

Through it all, he learned the greatest lesson: God Himself was his portion. The robe could be stripped. The dream could be delayed. But God’s presence was unshakable.

What if that’s our invitation too? To see that the dream is not the treasure—God is. To trust Him in waiting, to grow in character, to walk in faithfulness even when no one is watching.

A Question for Us

If God gave me the dream today, would I have the maturity to steward it well? Would my identity be so rooted in Him that the dream wouldn’t define me, but His presence would?

Think about a dream or calling in your own life. Are you focused on the outcome, or are you learning to walk with God through the process? Sometimes God delays the dream because He’s upgrading the dreamer. The wilderness isn’t a detour—it’s preparation.

Walking It Out

Here’s a small challenge you can take into your week:

1. Notice God’s presence daily. Even one small acknowledgment—grace, guidance, protection—matters.

2. Journal your growth. Write down one way the wilderness is shaping you, not hindering you.

3. Choose faithfulness. Take one practical step to honor God in your current season, even if it feels small or unseen.

These aren’t flashy accomplishments, but they are the building blocks of character, endurance, and readiness for the dream God has for you.

The Lord was with Joseph.
And the same Lord is with you.