Genesis 41:22–40 ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’ (v37)
Now we begin to see God’s plan a little clearer. Let’s imagine for a moment if Joseph had not got on his brother’s nerves… He would not have been sold as a slave and then he would not have been falsely accused of wrongdoing. He would not have heard the cupbearer’s dream.
Even if he had found himself in Egypt and thrown into jail, just imagine if the cupbearer had remembered Joseph and he had been released… maybe he would have returned to Potiphar, or maybe he would have returned home.
Either way he would not have been in the right place when Pharaoh needed him. He would not have been brought before Pharaoh. Joseph simply would not have been able to fulfil the purpose for which God had called him.
The prison years were not wasted years but preparation years. They were not for harm but for good! All those times when hope was dashed, and it looked as though God was not on the case, we see that He was working out His plans and purposes so we do not have to live in fear of our circumstances. We can learn from Joseph’s story of God’s faithfulness and love.
A Prayer to Make:
‘Lord, help me to remember how You have been faithful in the past, so I may trust you more in future when I do not understand. Amen.’
An Action to Take:
Reflect on times when you have asked God for something only to be glad later that God did not give you that very thing for which you had asked. Give thanks for God’s faithfulness.
Scripture to Consider:
Josh. 1:5–9; Ps. 36:5–9 & 86:8–13; Prov. 13:12–15; Rom. 8:12–16
