But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. (Psalm 38:15 ESV)
I think that I'm a pretty patient guy - that is, until I have to wait for something. It is then that I find out that I'm not as patient as I thought I was. I've even prayed for "God to give me patience and for Him to give it to me right now." As I look back on my life - it has been a series of events that have caused me to be "waiting" for many things.
There are other kinds of waiting. Waiting for the right job. Waiting for the right spouse. Here’s one: waiting for your spouse to finally become the person you want them to be.
Or, you might be waiting and wondering if you’re stuck in life and -- it (whatever “it” is) might never happen.
Have you ever realized that many of these situations are God’s waiting rooms.
They’re places along our trek through life where God says, "Wait here." And what looks like 10 minutes turns out to be 10 months, or even 10 years.
The Bible provides several instances of people who waited -- and waited --- for God’s next move.
Moses is a classic illustration. He herded sheep on the backside of the desert for 40 years before God returned him to leadership. The apostle Paul cooled his heels seven years before his ministry began.
And then there is Joseph who had to wait over 16 years before God begin to fulfill His promises in his life.
God had two objectives in Joseph's life - 1- to build his character and 2 - to test his character. This is no different than you or I. The more that you are used by God - the more that your character will be tested.
Thankfully, Joseph survived the character test. He was falsely accused, imprisoned and forgotten in an Egyptian prison. He could have become very bitter toward God, but he didn't. He could have become manipulative with the system but he continued to trust in God. He could have forgotten and forsook the dreams given to him by God but he treasured them in his heart for "some day." He didn't walk away from God and become bitter about a God who isn't faithful - he just waited.
So how did Joseph respond? And how could he continue to demonstrate the kind of character we’ve already witnessed? First,
1. Joseph Trusted God’s Character. (39:21-23)
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed. (Genesis 39:21-23 ESV)
In these passages we see that "the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. We see that the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper."
Joseph believed in a God who is not only all-wise and all-loving, but all-powerful. The God he served did place his servants in circumstances that were harsh and unpleasant, but He also went with them, and He gave them His grace to endure it. Joseph’s dark days remind every one of us that believers will suffer and that God employs precisely those times to accomplish His purposes.
He’s not sitting in the corner pouting and whining. He doesn’t disengage. He’s doing good and staying "faithful."
2- Joseph Responded By Serving Others. (Genesis 40:4)
The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. (Genesis 40:4 ESV)
Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker offend Pharaoh. The details aren’t given. But they land in the same place Joseph is being held. And look at what verse 4 says, he took care of them, and they were in confinement for some time. The Hebrew word used is: he ministered, he served. It means to wait on and attend to. He met the needs of fellow prisoners. Later, after their dreams, they’ve got sad depressed looks. And he doesn’t ignore that: he makes it a point to ask them in v. 7, why are your faces so sad today.
We need to grasp this: this man isn’t consumed with himself. He doesn’t go through this hard time always asking “why me!!!??” He enters into it, he engages with His God, he senses God’s presence -- he’s no doubt spending time revisiting and meditating on God’s character -- and he responds accordingly. When you learn to trust in God’s character, yours will grow as well.
When the waiting begins, when the hard times come, let me urge you: get in God’s Word and grow your view of God’s character. Never assume the worst about God. Let Him mature you as you trust Who He is.
3- Joseph Remembered God’s Promise. (Genesis 40:8)
They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” (Genesis 40:8 ESV)
The two dreams of the butler and baker here in chapter 40 would have immediately brought to Joseph’s mind his own dreams. He had never forgotten his own -- that’s why he immediately tells them to recount theirs to him: why? Because he says in v. 8, interpretations of dreams belong to God.
Joseph’s unswerving confidence in God was based in God’s divine revelation. He knew that God had been the source of his dreams. And God had confirmed them to him again and again. He knew what Peter would later write: God is not slow, in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness (2 Peter 3:9).
4. Joseph Recognized God’s Hand. (40:1-4, 8, 14, 15)
Joseph didn’t wallow in self-pity. He served fellow prisoners, he took on responsibility and he was faithful in everything he was given to do there. The chief jailer trusted him and gave him more responsibility.
Joseph had his eyes open and he was God’s man in that place. And God would use his service later as the means by which he would be rescued.
But, too, when God moved, Joseph recognized what He was doing. And Joseph was ready. Two men who had Pharaoh’s ear were dropped into his care. They had mysterious dreams. God used Joseph to minister to them - realizing that God's hand was on that situation.
Perhaps you are in God’s waiting room right now. The doors aren’t made of iron, but they are locked. How are you responding? Let me remind you -- let me encourage you:
Do not imagine for a single moment that God has abandoned you! Let Him do His work. Get into His Word of Truth. Seek His face. Tell Him all that’s in your heart. Cast yourself on Him. Trust Him maybe like never before. Remind yourself every day of His character, review His promises and watch for what He’s doing, and make yourself available again to Him.
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