TRUST!!!

There’s so much waiting! First, there’s hours searching and applying for jobs (btw…a completely inefficient process! How many times do I have to type out my qualifications?!) Then anxiously anticipating that phone call for an interview; then preparing for the interview, which means getting the magical outfit picked out and maybe, coloring your hair, painting your nails, defining the exact accessories (I’m sure accessories never got a counselor a job…well…I hope not!), etc. Then there’s the aftermath of the well-meaning, though frustrating question of “have you heard anything?” I wonder how long it is until they stop asking…because they got tired of waiting with me…or because they can’t bear to see the pain of my process of …  W…A…I…T…I….N….G!!!!

Joseph waited a LONG time! He endured injustices on multiple occasions. One of which, got him thrown into prison (Genesis 39:11-20). Then, while there he was given another leadership position (vs. 22-23). This is profound to me! A prisoner received such favor that the warden fully entrusted the rest of the prisoners to Joseph’s care. This pattern of favor in Joseph’s life is another aspect to consider. I don’t believe Joseph carried resentment in his heart. I believe that would have separated him from his God and the blessings God was pouring on his captivity. I do believe Joseph had a seemingly supernatural ability to trust in God’s defined plan. I could find no record of a complaint. While I’m sure he struggled with his emotions, he didn’t “beg” until Genesis 40:14-15, when the butler and baker got released from prison. THEY GOT RELEASED BUT JOSEPH REMAINED AND WAS FORGOTTEN. Joseph was forgotten even though he sacrificially served the baker, butler, warden, Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife, Jacob, his brothers, etc. Joseph was forgotten for two years! He continued to serve and caused his masters to prosper…waiting for an unknown moment of release. He still honored God while he was forgotten. 

But, the dream interpretations were seeds planted for future reaping (Genesis 41:12-14). It only LOOKED like Joseph was forgotten. When, in fact, he was NOT! God was acutely aware of him. He honored God at every turn and God used him to impact nations. 

A couple quotes from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest:

 “Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in—but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.”

“If you are not living in touch with God, it is easy to blame Him or pass judgment on Him. You must go through the trial before you have any right to pronounce a verdict, because by going through the trial you learn to know God better. God is working in us to reach His highest goals until His purpose and our purpose become one.”

And from He Shall Glorify Me in The Complete Works of Oswald Chambers:

 “When a man knows his destitution, knows he cannot get hold of God, cannot be the things he longs to be, he begins to realize what it was Jesus Christ came to do—to supply what he really lacks. There is no obstacle, nothing in the past or the present or in his heredity, that can stand in a man’s way if he will only make room for Jesus Christ.”

**I don't have any questions this time. But I strongly encourage you to journal your response to anything that may have impacted you.