Genesis 40

When you feel forgotten

_{Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought. ~ Genesis 40:23}

Waiting can be one of the hardest things we do in life. Joseph had been faithful, obedient, and honorable even in difficult circumstances, yet when he gave the interpretation of the butler’s dream, and asked to be remembered, he was forgotten for two long years. It must have felt like a crushing disappointment for Joseph, who was already unjustly sold into slavery and then imprisoned.

I often remind myself about Joseph’s life when I feel overlooked or forgotten. There have been many times that I was looking for a breakthrough or directions for my next step while serving faithfully in a ministry. Pouring my whole heart into it, even seeing others receive promotion, blessing and honor while I remained waiting and wondering when I will have my big “Joseph” moment. Sure, these were painful pockets in my life, but when I remember what God did in Joseph’s life, I know He is still moving me forward in mine.  He is always preparing me and working with me to get me ready for something greater than I can see right now.

You may be walking through a season where it feels like no one sees the effort you are putting in. Maybe you are believing for a breakthrough in your family, finances, or health, but things are not moving as quickly as you had hoped. Like Joseph, it can feel discouraging when the people you counted on to help you do not come through. But what we cannot forget is that God never abandons us. His timing is always perfect, and His plan is never delayed.

Here are some things you can do the next time your are in the waiting:

• Pray daily for strength and patience in your waiting season.
• Write down the promises of God you are standing on and read them out loud when discouragement tries to set in.
• Choose to serve and bless others while you wait, just as Joseph continued to use his gift to interpret dreams even in prison.
• Guard your heart against bitterness when people fail you, and trust that God’s faithfulness is greater than human forgetfulness.
• Keep a journal of answered prayers so you can remember how God has been faithful in the past and trust Him for the future.

Today I want to encourage you that even if people forget you, God never does. He sees every act of faithfulness, every tear you cry, and every prayer you whisper. Joseph’s waiting was not wasted, and neither is yours. The very moment that seemed forgotten was setting the stage for the fulfillment of his destiny. Hold on to the truth that God is working behind the scenes on your behalf.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 40

1 Some time later, Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and chief baker offended their royal master. 

2 Pharaoh became angry with these two officials, 

3 and he put them in the prison where Joseph was, in the palace of the captain of the guard. 

4 They remained in prison for quite some time, and the captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, who looked after them.

5 While they were in prison, Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker each had a dream one night, and each dream had its own meaning. 

6 When Joseph saw them the next morning, he noticed that they both looked upset. 

7 “Why do you look so worried today?” he asked them.

8 And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.”

“Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.”

9 So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream first. “In my dream,” he said, “I saw a grapevine in front of me. 

10 The vine had three branches that began to bud and blossom, and soon it produced clusters of ripe grapes. 

11 I was holding Pharaoh’s wine cup in my hand, so I took a cluster of grapes and squeezed the juice into the cup. Then I placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.”

12 “This is what the dream means,” Joseph said. “The three branches represent three days. 

13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift you up and restore you to your position as his chief cupbearer. 

14 And please remember me and do me a favor when things go well for you. Mention me to Pharaoh, so he might let me out of this place. 

15 For I was kidnapped from my homeland, the land of the Hebrews, and now I’m here in prison, but I did nothing to deserve it.”

16 When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given the first dream such a positive interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I had a dream, too. In my dream there were three baskets of white pastries stacked on my head. 

17 The top basket contained all kinds of pastries for Pharaoh, but the birds came and ate them from the basket on my head.”

18 “This is what the dream means,” Joseph told him. “The three baskets also represent three days. 

19 Three days from now Pharaoh will lift you up and impale your body on a pole. Then birds will come and peck away at your flesh.”

20 Pharaoh’s birthday came three days later, and he prepared a banquet for all his officials and staff. He summoned his chief cup-bearer and chief baker to join the other officials. 

21 He then restored the chief cup-bearer to his former position, so he could again hand Pharaoh his cup. 

22 But Pharaoh impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had predicted when he interpreted his dream. 

23 Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.

Journal:

• Write about a time when you felt forgotten but later saw how God was faithful.
• How does remembering His past faithfulness give you hope for what you are waiting on today?