Hold On To Hope

Yet the chief cupbearer

did not remember Joseph,

but forgot him.

Genesis 40:23

There is nowhere that we are hidden from God. There is not a prison on this earth deep or dark enough to separate us from our Creator God. There is no chain strong enough, no enemy wise enough to keep us held back from what God has purposed to do through us.

Our Father in heaven will complete what He has started in us, and His will shall certainly be accomplished.

Here in prison, Joseph meets the chief cupbearer and the chief baker of Pharaoh. Joseph notices the sadness and dejection in their countenances and goes to minister to them. He asks them why they are so sad, and they share with Joseph about the dreams that have burdened their minds. Joseph knows that interpretations belong to God, and he asks the two to share with him their dreams.

It appears that immediately God gives Joseph the interpretations of the dreams. Joseph has to deliver very bad news to the chief baker and very good news to the chief cupbearer. To the cupbearer Joseph requested that he would please remember him before Pharaoh and share his story, that he might be released.

Both interpretations come to fruition just as Joseph spoke them, yet the cupbearer did not remember Joseph.

Joseph is forgotten by man again, yet still faithful to God. I am sure he heard in his heart, “Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold I have inscribed you on the palm of My hands” (Isaiah 49:15–16). Joseph held fast to his God. He held fast in the face of circumstances that looked as though God had forsaken him, yet God had not.

God knew that Pharaoh would be his guardian, and his princesses his nurses. God knew that the people would bow before Joseph with their faces to the earth and they would lick the dust off of his feet, and Joseph would know and all Egypt would know that God was the Lord.

Those who hopefully wait for the Lord will not be put to shame (Isaiah 49:23).

Oh, precious one, hold on!

Hold on to the hope you have in Christ.

Keep “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” (Titus 2:13). Know that one day all will know that Jesus Christ is the Lord, and all will see that those who waited for Him have not been put to shame.

Oh Father,

So many times I have felt forgotten. It is a sad and lonely feeling, a feeling of isolation and unworthiness. How thankful I am that You are in me (Colossians 1:27) and with me (Matthew 28:20). My Jesus, You were forsaken so that I might never be forsaken or forgotten. My hope is in You, in and through every circumstance of life. You are the friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Oh Father, I will trust in You at all times and pour out my heart before You, for You are my refuge (Psalm 62:8). “Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident” (Psalm 27:3). Joseph was faithful to You and held fast his confidence. Oh Father, that I too would hold fast my confidence and the boast of my hope firm until the end (Hebrews 3:6).

My Jesus, it’s in Your name I pray,

Amen.