Clearly, the baker was not pleased, but the cupbearer, well, his dream had come true, and he was back to work. Pharaoh was allowing him to put the cup back into his hand. Joseph had saved the day and he would surely be freed any day now…Waiting upon the Lord is at best difficult and most times it is absolutely maddening.
Joseph probably played the scene over and over in his mind. “When you are restored, please get me out of here. Well now two years had passed. Joseph continued to languish in the dungeon, while the rest of the world moved on. Some impact he was having…
The most important part of surrendering to God is realizing that God’s timing never matches ours. Still, God’s timing is perfect. Had Joseph been freed from prison, he would have hurried back to his dad. Wouldn’t you. Egypt had been a nightmare and He remained faithful throughout. Still, nothing would have held Joseph in Egypt except prison.
God was about to turn the world upside down and Joseph was a key part of that transition. So, as miserable as Joseph may have been, that misery would never compare to the impact Joseph was to have on the world.
When God chooses and uses heroes it often comes with great sacrifice and extended training. Moses was a fugitive and shepherd for 40 years prior to God’s call. David ran from Saul and hid in caves for years. Then it took an additional 7 years to unify Israel again. Paul was trained for 13 years prior to His first missionary journey. Even Jesus waited until He was 30 to begin His ministry.
God plays the long game. The Lord does so because He loves us; and knows we do better if we do not get into a hurry. Joseph must have all but given up by this point. But it is a great thing that he did not quit. We are often faced with the same frustration of simply not knowing God’s plan and being tired of waiting for its execution.
Two verses are like cornerstones to hold us together. Isaiah 40:31, and Romans 8:18. Isaiah reminds us that if we wait on God, He will empower us, enrich us, and keep us recharged. Romans 8:18 reminds us that whatever trials we face now do not compare to what God has for us in reward if we will diligently seek Him. Please, do not give up, give in, or turn away from God’s plan for you–IT IS WORTH THE WAIT!!
God Bless You
Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— 22 but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.
23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.Chapter 41
When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, 2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.
5 He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6 After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.
8 In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
Walking With God 