We opened the week with reading Genesis 39:19-23, where we find that upon hearing what his wife had to say, the master had Joseph thrown into prison.

“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (verse 21, NKJV).

Sometimes the circumstances we find ourselves in are not of our own doing. We may be innocent of wrongdoing and instead, we find ourselves enduring wrongdoing done to us.

And even there we can grow and thrive. How amazing is that?

It was while in prison that God developed character in Joseph. Character he would need in order to lead a country, and his family, safely through a crisis of famine.

It was while in prison that God developed a spirit of wisdom and forgiveness in Joseph, which he would need when one day facing his brothers as they came before him for food.

The commentary in my Bible brought this insight:

“Joseph would learn that God’s delays are not God’s denials. Meanwhile, Joseph found ways to be productive, responsible, and to live with integrity. Where we find ourselves should never be the ultimate guide for our actions.” (Wiersbe Study Bible)

Where do you find yourself today? Are you in an unfair situation? Or are you thinking back on a time when you were in an unfair situation not by your doing?

Today, let’s ask the Lord to bring insight into these times of testing when we are in the “school of hard times”. In “My Utmost For His Highest” one day recently, Oswald Chambers shares a thought which has stuck with me since:

“God does not give us overcoming life – He gives us life as we overcome.”

Lord, help us to look upon difficult situations we may be in, or already endured, through a new lens. Help us not to think of ourselves as “victims” as this only causes us to stay stuck in the mire of the past. Bring insight, opening our eyes to see You at work in our lives. Help us to see that you are growing us into “victors” who will be able to be used in the future for your glory and to help others.

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In Genesis 40:9-15, we find Joseph interpreting the dream of the butler. In reading this portion several time, my focus continued to be on one verse:

“But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house.” (verse 14, NKJV)

Here we see Joseph relying on man to get him out of prison. He was putting his trust in what man could do instead of God.

I thought of the many times I have done the same thing and ran to a person for help, instead of relying on God to do what only God could do in my life.

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7, NKJV)

Disappointment is most difficult to process. However, we cannot take matters into our own hands and act apart from God.

We can develop the mindset of Christ, which was humble and obedient to the Father’s will and plan.

What are some ways you need to change the way you think about disappointments? How can we better develop the same mindset as Christ in the face of disappointment?

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We brought the week to a close with reading Genesis 41:1-8. Dreams continue to play a huge role in Joseph’s life, only this time it is the Pharaoh himself having the dreams.

Two years have passed since he interpreted the last dreams. Two years. Now I don’t know about you, but that is a long time to have to wait.

It is here in the story that we truly see the sovereignty of God at work in the lives of His people.

The time seems to have moved so slowly for God to unveil His plan in Joseph’s life. But now … change is going to begin to happen very quickly.

While Joseph was seemingly forgotten, the reality is God truly had never forgotten him at all. God was orchestrating every event and positioning people where they needed to be.

May this encourage us all. God never forgets any one of us. He is always at work in our lives. He has a plan and He never abandons His own.

The study brought us to read Isaiah 40:31 and I chose a new to me version to read it in and was blessed by the rendering:

“But those who wait for Yahweh’s grace will experience divine strength. They will rise up on soaring wings and fly like eagles, run their race without growing weary and walk through life without giving up.” (The Passion Translation)

God promises so much to us as we wait on Him. What do you need God to provide? God will respond as you wait on Him.

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God’s delays are not God’s denials.
As we wait and trust Him,
we will experience divine strength to walk through life without giving up.

 

Photo 1: Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
Photo 2: Image by Miguel Muñoz Hierro from Pixabay
Photo 3: Image by stacy vitallo from Pixabay

Today I am joining … Tell His Story and Purposeful Faith and InstaEncouragements .