Remember Joseph? When we’re introduced to him, he’s the favorite of his father, the young man with the many-colored coat and the grandiose dreams. His brothers hate him and, in lieu of killing him, sell him into slavery in Egypt.

Genesis 39 details the downward spiral of his surroundings. He starts off as a slave in the house of Egypt’s chief of security, is falsely accused by the man’s wife, and ends up in prison, where he will spend several years.

From beloved son to slave; from slave to prisoner. Yet when we read the account, we never lose hope for Joseph. One reason is that we know the story. We know he’s going to be exalted, we know that good things are coming.

More important to our confidence is the text itself. In chapter 39, when Joseph starts off as a slave, we’re simply told something by the narrator. “And the Lord was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2). He prospers, other people see that the Lord is with him. And then when he’s in prison, there’s another statement. You can probably guess what it is. “And the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him steadfast love” (Genesis 39:21).

It was easy to see when Joseph was being blessed. Certainly the Lord was with him as he ruled Egypt. But even in his lows, we are painstakingly put on notice that God was with Joseph. And that “God-withness” is not only in regards to Joseph. That’s the main message for Joseph’s Dad, Jacob, in chapter 46. “I will go with you,” God says to Jacob.

Hmm. This seems really important. Assurance and hope and settled favor accompanies the reality of God being with certain people. Our lives have hope, our direction is sure, if God is with us.

How do we make sure we get this? How do we make sure that God is with us and stays with us?

Matthew’s Gospel helps. In chapter 1, we are told that there is a savior coming. Quoting Isaiah, we’re told that his name shall be called Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). That’s who Jesus Christ is. God with us.

Jesus Christ, the very Word of God, the one who came to redeem and save, the one who died on a cross and shed his blood for our sin, the one who declares us righteous and makes us holy. Him. If he is with you, your life is assured and hopeful. Not because of your circumstances. Because of him. He is God with you.

Well, you might say, that sounds like a stretch. It doesn’t seem like Jesus is actually with me. Not now. And I’d be tempted to agree with you, if it were only the name of Jesus that we were talking about. But consider not just the beginning of Matthew. Consider also the very last words of Jesus in the Gospel.

We know it as the great commission, that statement to go into all the world and make disciples. Jesus said that to his disciples just before he ascended into heaven, alive, to sit at the right hand of God the Father and make intercession for us.

Here’s the last words he said (Matthew 28:21):

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

So believe it. The truth that marked Joseph in every circumstance, the truth that assured his life, that meant all would be ok, was that God was with him. And in Christ, we have the same connection. We have the assurance from God himself that he is with us always. In highs and lows. Independent of our good or bad choices. By faith alone.

If God is for us, who can be against us?