When God Is Slow - February 12 Readings: Genesis 37, 39-41 Blessing from Suffering

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Genesis 37, 39-41

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Through the Bible Reading: Exodus 39-40, Matthew 26:1–29, Psalm 22:14–20, Proverbs 5:7-14

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

Genesis is a book of beginnings - the creation of the world, of humanity, the fall into sin, the choice of Israel as God's people. But it is much more than a book of historical facts; it also begins to unveil the character and ways of the God we serve. We have seen that God uses ordinary, flawed people and does his work through them. We've observed how God transforms people when they encounter him. We looked at how God sent a miracle baby, foreshadowing his redemptive plan.

In this first book, we see glimpses of the God who will be revealed in glory through the rest of the Bible. Today's reading shows more of God's character and ways. God took Joseph through years of suffering and unfair treatment before he revealed fully his plans. Not only do we see God's sustaining grace and the wonder of his sovereign plan, but we see that God prepares those he plans to use.

God had a powerful purpose for Joseph, to make him a ruler. But to be ready for the job God had for him, Joseph's character had to be developed. Character precedes usefulness. Before God can use a man greatly he must sometimes send him through painful situations that build faith, character, and humility. When, in God's timing, Joseph was ready to do God's will, God elevated him and put him in the place of prominence - when he was ready.

We also see that God works so that it often looks as if his promises have failed, until they are fulfilled. Abraham waited 25 years after God gave him an absurd promise. Joseph was told he would be a ruler and then he became a slave and a prisoner - for 13 years. That is where faith comes in, trusting the amazing God we serve.

Devotional: When God Is Slow

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 until his wife's ugly lie. She tried to seduce Joseph and when he resisted, she falsely accused him of assault. He spent years in an Egyptian dungeon.  He interpreted the dream of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and had a moment of hope, but that was snuffed as the cupbearer forgot about him for two more years. For thirteen years Joseph experienced betrayal, enslavement, false accusation, imprisonment, and neglect. 

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.  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 needed those 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:

Are you looking for promotion and usefulness without allowing God to build your character and prepare you for the task?
Do you trust the plan of God for your life, even when circumstances seem to say its not going to happen?