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When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.” Genesis 42:1-2

While I’m praying for many years about something that breaks my heart in two, it can appear as if I have a Father who withholds intervention for no good reason. He could act today, couldn’t He? Doesn’t love come running? If a parent can do something to alleviate a child’s suffering, won’t he? This is the human side of praying. God’s side is much more expansive, however.

So much happened behind the scenes while Joseph waited in slavery. God wasn’t deaf to his cries for deliverance. Though Joseph didn’t see evidence of that outside of the daily grace God provided, he couldn’t know that there was so much happening behind the scenes. The right Pharaoh had to be in power to dream the dream that Joseph interpreted.

• The brothers had to live with their sin and come to a place of humility so that the forgiveness Joseph would eventually extend could be effective.
• The land outside Egypt’s borders had to move toward famine so that desperation would make Jacob turn his eyes toward Egypt.
• Joseph needed the humility and wisdom only borne of suffering to one-day lead a nation well. Good leaders are cultivated in a crucible.

Could Joseph have guessed that God was working?  No. No more than I can while I sit in my waiting room. But God was moving history around with His index finger and all to bring about the salvation of His people. Can I not trust Him with my life?

As I review the activity of an active, powerful, all-wise and loving God on behalf of Joseph, I just may begin to see my own story with the eyes of faith.

Write the stories of spiritual brothers like Joseph on my heart. I need to review and review how Your unfailing love works. Amen

When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.” Genesis 41:55

Who better to turn to than a Pharaoh for help? But this Pharaoh was in over his head. He was not God’s child, and his stone gods weren’t talking.

Seemingly overnight, Joseph was brought out of obscurity to a place of prominence. He couldn’t have guessed that he would sleep in a palace instead of a prison or that his administrative and prophetic gifts would be implemented for the salvation of his people. Yet, when God decided it was time for his advancement, nothing and no one could stop it. Who did the famished people turn to? To one whose name they didn’t even know the day before.

Many righteous are sitting in low places. They are gifted, overlooked, and even ridiculed. They have turned down opportunities for advancement because the pathway to the top meant compromise. The sacrifices offered out of love for God cost them dearly. There may come a time, in this lifetime, when others turn to them for life-saving advice. Their quiet lives of steadfast faithfulness to God will speak volumes when those they formerly trusted shrivel in the flames of adversity. It is only suffering that exposes the difference between the two.

When famine affects the landscape of those around me, it might just be the hour for which God has prepared me. I may not sleep in a palace, but I just might be sought for the treasures of wisdom God has cultivated in me, in secret.  I can never just assume that obscurity is forever my normal.

I never fit in the mainstream. You made me unique, and I know that my time with You cultivates the harvest of heaven’s seeds.  I may not see the extent until the time is ripe.  I trust You.  Amen

Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:51-52

If you have known a life of hardship, you know how slowly time passed.  Pain was normal and the thought of living life any other way was inconceivable. The possibility that you could ever forget your affliction seemed unlikely.

I suspect that the word for ‘forget’ in today’s scripture is the same word that was used when God ‘forgets my sins and puts them behind his back.’ He places them out of sight, and they are no longer held up in front of my face as a reminder of what I’ve done. Memories of my sin eventually take a back seat to the joy of God’s forgiveness.

Considering that definition ~ To forget former hardship is to have painful memories eclipsed by something infinitely more powerful ~ the kindness and redemption of God.  It is impossible to feel two things at once ~ the wonder of exhilaration and the depth of despair. God’s redemption is that powerful. But while I wait, all I know is the consuming agony of distress.

I’ve seen the fruits of powerful prayer. Some were answered overnight, and some within a few months’ time. But others put me in God’s waiting room for a decade or two. The pain of waiting made God appear uncaring and I was certain that life would never be any different. I had to fight for my faith and cling to sound theology despite the strength of my emotions. When the tide turned, when God came sweeping in with the redemption I sought, the joy exceeded anything I had suffered. My prayers had been one-dimensional; his answers were as vast and deep as the ocean. Even now, I still cannot plumb the depths of all that He has done – and will do – because of persevering prayer.

If you fear that the joy of answered prayer will pale in comparison to the ways affliction has ravaged your soul, expand your hope. If God could cause Joseph to ‘forget’ the betrayal of his brothers, being sold into slavery, being unjustly accused, and imprisoned for a decade, could He not surprise me with unspeakable joy?

For all the pain that still consumes me, the coming deliverance is so much more powerful. Amen

Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years.  And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities and let them keep it. Genesis 41:34-35

Joseph didn’t just interpret Pharaoh’s two dreams. He used his administrative gift to suggest a plan that would counteract the dismal prediction of famine. Joseph was more than a seer. 

God never gives divine insight for mere intrigue. He discloses His thoughts to someone so they can figure out why they were given such information. Are they to pray? Are they to speak an encouraging word? Are they to expose? Seeing is proactive.

The gift of divine sight, and the spiritual understanding that accompanies it, is built on the culmination of life experiences. God shapes a servant through years of practice runs. The gift is sharpened most through suffering. If you are a prophet who can prayerfully discern the mind and heart of God about a person or situation, you will agree that your gift has been personally expensive. But consider this too ~ the gift of divine eyesight is usually paired with another strong gift. 

• God often reveals a dream for His child to conceive a wise solution.
• God reveals danger so that His child can pray.
• God reveals the root of a problem so that truth can be discovered, embraced, and sin uprooted.
• God reveals the broken heart of another so that compassion and encouragement can arise.
• God reveals where people perish for lack of knowledge so that a teacher may arise.

What has God been showing you about a person or a situation? Perhaps that revelation has been painful, has arrested you in place, and you are confused. Assess your giftings and ask God to show you how you are to use the revelation as a catalyst for His glory and the advancement of the kingdom. God, in your story, has prepared you for such a time as this.

I have been tormented by what I see. Give me Your action plan. Amen

And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. Genesis 41:38-39

It’s shocking to me that Pharoah would ask this question, ‘Can we find a man in whom is the Spirit of God?’ How wonderful that the answer was yes.  It should still be yes when people look for God and turn in our direction.

I’m convinced that life is one long series of choices where I choose whether to quench the Spirit. He speaks; I turn my ear toward more enticing voices. He suggests; I ignore His suggestion and pick something that promises instant gratification. He begs obedience; I procrastinate and then live in perpetual guilt. He woos me to behold Him in all His glory; I am distracted by something or someone I want more.

The only time I am more than willing to drown out everything that competes with the Spirit is when I suffer. My need of Him is stronger than my need for things that are of little consolation. Stripped of everything that used to matter, Jesus is in full view. His voice is clear and merciful. “I’m here!” His invitation is gracious.  As I sink into waves of mercy, He proceeds to say what He has said across the ages to repentant sinners. “Go and sin no more.” Of course. How could I think of it after such a lifesaving encounter?

The Spirit of God is prominent in me only when my need of Him has exposed how precious He is. He is on full display when He is my treasure. Others see that I am obsessed and possessed.

Joseph’s betrayal, imprisonment, and isolation proved to be three great friends – for these lifesaving wounds led him to cling to his God. No wonder Pharaoh saw the Spirit in so short an encounter.

Lord, the greatest lesson of my life is to learn to embrace suffering and not fight it. Each trial has led me to You. Amen

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. Genesis 41:25

God gave Pharaoh two dreams that meant the same thing. Why did He do that? I suspect so that Pharaoh wouldn’t miss the message.

Has God been trying to speak to you about something? You’re stuck in inertia because you fear you’re reading into things. Perhaps it was a dream, but it was so allegorical that you lack the confidence to act upon it. Perhaps it was a word in prayer, but you wonder it if was just your own inner voice. Maybe it was a set of ‘coincidences’ that seemed too incredible not to be divine. These are the kinds of scenarios that lead you to ask, “Did I really hear God’s voice?” Until you know for sure, you dare not endeavor on something risky.

What I’ve come to realize is that God is for me, not against me. He wants me to get it right even more than I do. If I suspect He is speaking to me (and in a way that is outside my box), I ask Him for confirmation. I confess again that I am small and blind, unable to perceive spiritual things well. I ask Him to have mercy on my spiritual small-ness. I ask Him to treat me as He treated Moses. He made it His will so plain ~ When the cloud moves, move. When the cloud stops, stop.

I must say that most of the time, I experience a Father who confirms and confirms. More than just twice; sometimes three and four times. (And each in a different way.) Just as God gave Pharaoh two dreams, each bearing the same message, how much more will God lead a child whose heart is bent to covet His voice and respond with obedience!

I pray for each one who is discounting what You’ve spoken to them this morning. They are afraid. Repeat Your message, Lord, and confirm it in a way that is unmistakable to their tentative faith. Amen

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” Genesis 41:15-16

When Pharaoh told Joseph that he knew of his ability to interpret dreams, Joseph didn’t downplay it and say that he wasn’t worthy of such attention. Instead, He put God at the center of his answer.

False modesty plagues us. So does insecurity. These appear to be God-honoring when, in fact, they rob God of the glory due Him.  One of the biggest pitfalls of any platform person is succumbing to pride. Standing ovations, fan letters, and whispers of your name as you pass a group, all swell your sense of worth. In my experience, God gives believers with high visibility thorns in the flesh to counteract the temptation. He minimizes the risk of ministries being ruined by inflated egos.

Despite that, compliments are a part of life, and they can be very hard to know how to handle.

“You’re such a great teacher.”

“You hear the Lord and lead with great faith.”

“No one can organize an event quite like you!”

To simply say, ‘thank you’ can appear to mean, “I agree with you. I am this great.” Shouldn’t I shun praise?  If I were humble, shouldn’t I tell others that their observations about me are inflated or untrue? The problem is that when I do that, I miss the opportunity to tell them how great God is. When I say, “It’s not me; it’s God,” that’s not true. I am part of the equation, half of the collaboration. I embraced the gift, developed it and practiced using it, and then dedicated it to the glory of God.  Spiritual gifting is God working in and through me.

So, what is a good alternative? Let’s say that you teach a small group. It is being blessed and people are growing. One night after the meeting ends, someone comes to you and says, “You are such an anointed facilitator. I’ve never understood this much about Jesus before.” You can answer like this. “I’m so encouraged to hear you say this. Thank you. Please pray for me that I will always depend on Jesus as I teach.”

No matter where we excel, people should know that ‘we know’ the gift came from God. The grace to do it well is because of His faithfulness.

One final thing. You and I should be aware where we are gifted. If we fail to know, how can we be effective? If someone asked you to name three ways God has gifted you, and three things you do well, would it be wrong to answer with certainty, with no apology?  Yes.  You will be humble when you give God the glory for it.

I am confident today because of Your anointing. I’ve lived without it and there was no spiritual power. You are at the center of all I am, and I am nothing without you. Amen

After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. So in the morning his spirit was troubled. Genesis 41:1,8

What are you waiting on God for today? Part of our spiritual experience is to pray for heaven to come down and then wonder why it doesn’t happen in a traceable way. Our relationship with God gets battered by questions of His goodness and love.

My soul, wait thou only upon God. Psalm 62:6 John Calvin translates this verse, “My soul, be silent before God.” Rest calm and undisturbed. Your enemies are round about thee, but rest, my soul, in God. Your enemies are mighty, but HE IS Almighty; your troubles are grievous, but he is greater than your troubles, and he shall deliver you from them. Let not your soul be agitated. The wicked are like the troubled sea that cannot rest: don’t be like them. Be calm: let not a wave ruffle your untroubled spirit. Cast thy burden on the Lord, and then sleep on his bosom.”    

Joseph sat in his prison cell for another two years after the cupbearer and baker broke their promise to bring his case before Pharaoh.  Did Joseph wonder why God didn’t override their forgetfulness and command them to speak the way He used Balaam’s donkey to speak?  We’ll never know, but we suspect it happened.

After long periods of waiting, I have come to understand that much about my waiting room had little to do with me. It was about God preparing people and situations for what was next, lining up the dominoes to fall in succession.  In Joseph’s case, it appears now that the two-year waiting period wasn’t about Joseph as much as it was about the ripening of times and seasons in Egypt. It was about Pharaoh entering a time of distress over his dreams.

I’m waiting in prayer today over some big things in my life. So are you. What if we could peel back the invisible curtain between heavenly realms and each of us? What if we could see God working in the lives of the people we love? I am convinced that we would see a very active Father, not a passive one. God is wooing, speaking, and arranging divine encounters for the ones we are praying for. He’s preparing the ground for them to encounter Him and know that He is God.

There’s nothing more painful as a parent than to be blamed for doing nothing when, in fact, you’ve been very active. You’ve sought advice, you’ve suffered sleepless nights, you’ve problem solved and rehearsed the obstacles until your head hurts. The one who blames you just doesn’t know.

When I blame God, I am a blind, ignorant child. He is ever proactive.

Passivity is not in your nature. I’ve been lied to. You are incessant as you work behind the scenes.  Revive my faith.  In Jesus’ name, Amen

When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.” And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you!—and hang you on a tree.” Genesis 40:16-19

I am one from whom others often seek advice. Questions like, “Why am I like this?” “What do you think the problem is?” “Why am I stuck and not progressing?” “Have I done something wrong?” “Is God punishing me?” I love to take someone’s life puzzle and seek God’s help to make divine sense of the pieces, but having said that, the hardest thing for anyone with a gift of mercy is to give a difficult word. If a prophetic gift accompanies a mercy gift, obedience is a challenge. God gives insight that can be difficult to speak. Mercy wants to cushion the blow.

Joseph’s obedience was tested so many times on his rise to blessing. Two cellmates, both former servants to the royal court, shared two different dreams. Joseph happily told the first that he would be blessed and reinstated to his former position. Upon that good news, the other man shared his dream. Joseph found himself at a difficult juncture. There was no good news about the 2^nd dream. This man would not be restored to honor; he would be hung. At that point, Joseph could have claimed ignorance, yet he gave the fateful interpretation.

God wants to count on me to speak the truth when the truth is unwanted, even if being honest threatens a relationship.  This is a struggle for me. I’d rather stay silent and just pray than speak up to inflict a potentially lifesaving wound. Infusions of holy boldness from the Holy Spirit are the only cure for timidity.

Make me Your prophet. Trembling but obedient. Amen

Then Joseph said to the cupbearer, “This is its interpretation; the three branches are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. Genesis 40:12-13

Have you ever been shamed? No matter the context, the experience is gut-wrenching. Your mind runs tapes of the accusations. Your face feels hot when you think about it.  Your body language turns inward.

Joseph told the cupbearer, the one who was falsely accused, that Pharaoh would lift his head in three days. The Hebrew idiom paints a beautiful picture. It is when the one shrunken in shame is restored to his position of power. It’s used other places in scripture that expand its beauty.

God speaks to His people and joyfully commands them to lift their heads. He has gone out to battle on their behalf and has come back victorious. Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Psalm 24:7

King David, betrayed by his son Absalom, on the run with just the clothes on his back, turns to God for vindication. He climbs the Mount of Olives, covers his head, weeps, and says, “You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:3 As king, he could have formed an army, or at least a posse, to get back his throne but he abandoned all ideas of conniving, battling, and manipulating. He recognized that God was his rescuer.

Who has stripped you of your honor? Have you given up all hope of restoration? Perhaps you have even abandoned prayer.  If you’re a fighter, however, you may have vowed to take revenge. You intend to get back what you’ve lost no matter who must pay. Turning aside from God as your Redeemer, you’ve taken up your own cause.

David left the battle to God. So did Joseph. They did the thing that is the hardest for any of us ~ they waited on God to move. He always will. We just don’t know when. In the meantime, the waiting is never wasted. God draws near, comforts, teaches us what He suffered under the same circumstances, and pours out treasure upon treasure that is only found in the darkness. He is, and will be, the lifter of our heads.

Satan offered you a way out of waiting when he offered you the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. Thank you for not caving. Everything would have been lost. So teach me to wait! Amen