"When God Delays" January 20 Readings: Genesis 41-42, Matthew 13:18–43, Psalm 12, Proverbs 3:7-8

Today's Readings - Genesis 41-42, Matthew 13:18–43, Psalm 12, Proverbs 3:7-8

Devotional - When God Delays

Joseph’s story is both tragic and glorious. He was Jacob’s favorite son, and that bred jealousy among his brothers. They sold him into slavery in Egypt – a teenage boy betrayed by his family. He became a slave to Potiphar, who grew to love him.  Unfortunately, Potiphar’s wife also had feelings for him – the wrong kind. Joseph resisted her advances, but that did not stop Mrs. Potiphar of accusing him of assault.  Joseph ended up spending many years in an Egyptian dungeon as a result of her false accusations. When he interpreted the dream of Pharaoh’s cupbearer, he had a moment of hope, but that was snuffed as the cupbearer forgot about him for two whole years.

Then, it all changed in one day. Joseph awoke one morning as a slave and went to bed that night as the second most powerful man in the world. All in ONE day. Pharaoh had a restless night, dreaming about cows and ears of grain. The dreams troubled him. As he discussed them, the cupbearer suddenly remembered Joseph, who interpreted his dream. Joseph was summoned, interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, and advised Pharaoh about how to handle the lean years that were to come. Pharaoh decided that because of Joseph’s wisdom, he would be the perfect man to be Egypt’s second-in-charge. What a day for Joseph.

But to get to that wonderful day, Joseph had to go through thirteen years of struggle and hardship. It might have seemed to him that God was deaf to his prayers and had forgotten him, but he had not. Joseph continued to serve God faithfully until the answer came. 

I am often frustrated by how long struggles continue, how slow the victories are to come or my prayers are to be answered. It is easy to look in the mirror and despair, to give up hope, to lose enthusiasm for the battle. But we must not do that. We cannot. God is in charge, and where he is at work there is never any justification to abandon hope. God may be slow but his timing is perfect. 

Remember this: every circumstance in Joseph's life screamed that God's promise was not going to come true; that the visions of his youth would fail. But God was at work even when Joseph couldn't see it or feel it. God was preparing Joseph for the work he had before him. When the time was right, God's plan was revealed.  

God is at work all around us. Often we fail and are uncooperative with that work, but God's work continues. Circumstances may tell you to despair of God's promises, but a man or woman of God learns to live by God's word and to serve him faithfully, regardless of what is happening in the world.

God, I trust you.  Sometimes I cannot see what you are doing and I struggle to understand. But like Joseph I want to keep serving you and wait for your timing to reveal your power. Help me to trust you and walk in confidence in what you can do in me!

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Is there are situation in your life that seems impossible? Have you prayed for many years, but there is no answer?
Remember that Moses waited 40 years. Abraham did not receive his promise for 25 after he received it, and he was 100 when it came. Joseph went through 13 years of horror after God gave him the promise.
Don't give up!