In John 16:33 Jesus is encouraging His disciples: “I have said these things to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world.” Ps 105:16-23 summarizes the anointing of Joseph and the purposes of God in his trials and affliction. God had prescribed a testing period for His servant before His words of prophecy were fulfilled. While the Psalmist had the benefit of Joseph's full story arc to understand the plans of God for his servant, Joseph himself had no such advantage. What provided Joseph the reassurance of faith necessary to sustain him through such rigorous trials? It was the word and promise of Yahweh. Divine revelation by way of dream had revealed to Joseph that God would exalt him to rule (37:5-9). Like Esther to come, God's purposes in raising up His servant were not to glorify themselves, but to glorify God as an instrument of His saving grace. Joseph's troubles were preparing him for this very thing. This chapter repeatedly emphasizes the fact that despite the circumstances, “ The Lord was with Joseph.” how difficult it must have been during these years of Joseph's life to maintain the confidence of the Psalmist in 119:46 “I will speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame.” The account of Joseph mirrors the calling of believers today. We are called to endure our own trials by faith, knowing by the Word and promises of God that we are seated in heavenly places with Christ (Eph 2:6) because Christ Himself was raised from the dead and seated at the right hand of the Father far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion above every name that is named (Eph 12:20-21). For those in Christ, we partake in the Messianic ascension of Jesus Christ prefigured by the calling of Joseph unfolding in Genesis 39.