But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”

Genesis 40:14-15  NIV

For Meditation

Joseph is worn out and beaten down within himself. Why not? His ordeal from his hometown, through Dothan to Egypt, and finally, to prison is enough to break anybody. The prison is dark and hopeless. There is no hope for release. He sees a glimmer of light in the chief cup-bearer of Pharaoh, and he pleads for his life (Gen. 40:14-15). It is a cry of despondency; but a plea to the wrong person. The arm of flesh will fail you (2 Chron. 32:8); and Joseph gets a taste of it – the chief cup-bearer forgets him (Gen. 40:23).

Momentarily, Joseph has forgotten that the same God he has testified to as the source of interpretation of every dream (v.8), is the Helper of his father, Israel (49:24). He, therefore, pleads to the chief cup-bearer for remembrance, favor, connection, deliverance, justice, and exoneration (40:14-15). However, none of these can be found in any person apart from the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Don’t we all forget this truth in the depth of our crucibles – the times when “we are hard pressed on every side … perplexed …persecuted … and struck down” (2 Cor. 4:7-9). In desperation, we reach out for any hand that hangs before us. God seems far away and non-responding to our prayers. So, why not try anything?

But I have good news for you. If, indeed, Jesus is your Lord, and you have dedicated yourself to serve Him in purity and innocence, He has heard your desperate cry. In fact, He has already fitted your situation in His eternal plan, and fixed the appropriate time for your deliverance and all the blessings that come with it. It may take two years as it did for Joseph, but your elevation will surely come (41:37-44).

Never forget this truth:  God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20 NKJV).   

Shalom