How To Make It Through Life's Difficult Times
One of Jacob’s 12 sons was named Joseph. Joseph was called by God at an early age but didn’t know what that would look like for him. His brothers sent him down a path in life that was full of bad experiences. What Joseph needed to do was to make it through life’s difficult times. But, how was he going to do that?
When all goes well, remember me and show me kindness, mention me to Pharaoh to get me out of this prison. Genesis 40:14
This verse was a pivotal point in Joseph’s life. Here was what happened to him over the course of many years.
- He was sold as a slave to Midianite traders by his brothers.
- Then bought from them by Potiphar, an Egyptian Captain.
- Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of immoral conduct.
- He was sent to prison.
- And after doing a good deed for a fellow inmate, he was forgotten about.
Two of Joseph’s cellmates had dreams and Joseph interpreted them both correctly. In our verse for today, he was asking one of them to remember him. Seemed like a reasonable request. But was it a request that cost him 2 more years in jail?
Joseph was well-liked in prison. He was even given leadership responsibilities by the guards. The fact is, he had everything going for him in a very undesirable place. God though, blessed everything he did.
The Lord proved Himself to Joseph when he was both a slave and a prisoner. One of the things we don’t see in the scripture is Joseph praying. So, we don’t know if he did or not. What we do know is the request he made of his fellow prisoner.
Joseph Got Past Life’s Difficult Times
Did that request cause God to wait another 2 years to give Pharaoh his dream? Did God have to teach Joseph more before he put him 2nd in command of the empire? These are things that we don’t know.
Check out this related post called How to Trust God in Difficult Circumstances.
One of the observations I made as I read these verses was how much credit Joseph gave to God when he interpreted these dreams. For the both baker and the cupbearer, he mentioned God one time.
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.” Genesis 40:8
2 years later there was a noticeable difference in how Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams. He started the same way as he did with the baker and cupbearer.
It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.” Genesis 41:16
This time, however, he gave God the credit before he interpreted each of Pharaoh’s dreams.
Joseph responded, “Both of Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God is telling Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do. Genesis 41:25 This will happen just as I have described it, for God has revealed to Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do. Genesis 41:28
He didn’t stop there though, he brought the two dreams together and told Pharaoh what God was going to do.
As for having two similar dreams, it means that these events have been decreed by God, and he will soon make them happen. Genesis 41:32
God Will Always Reveal His Plan
God’s purpose for Joseph was finally revealed after Joseph gave God the credit for the interpretations and the future events. To was then God rewarded him.
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.” Genesis 41:39-40
You must always go to God first no matter what the circumstances are in your life. And in doing so keep a positive attitude. He may direct you to someone else to help you or not. He may change your circumstances or not. No matter how He chooses to work, you will always come out for the better.
Lord, help us to always go to you first with our needs. Our Life’s times can become very difficult. Sometimes before we come to You, we try other things. Forgive us for doing it like that. Help us, Lord, to depend on you and follow your guidance.
Read more about the life of Joseph in Genesis 40.
