Genesis 40:1-23
Genesis 40 continues the story of Joseph, whose life up to this point has been a series of trials and betrayals. He has faced rejection by his siblings, alienation from his parents, and betrayal by his master’s wife who falsely accused him of rape, leading to his imprisonment in Pharaoh’s dungeon. Truly, Joseph’s journey in life was filled with many hardships, but in this chapter, we begin to see a glimmer of hope as God’s plan is slowly unveiled. God begins in this chapter to slowly reveal His ability and work even when it seems like everything has gone wrong. This chapter also offers incredible insight into God’s timing and sovereignty, making it a story that should encourage anyone who has equally suffered as Joseph did.
The butler and the baker thrown in prison. Vs. 1-8
“It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker. So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while. Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream, both of them, each man’s dream in one night and each man’s dream with its own interpretation. And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in the custody of his lord’s house, saying, ‘Why do you look so sad today?’ And they said to him, ‘We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.’ So Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please’” (Gen. 40:1-8).
We now meet two new individuals: the chief butler and the chief baker in Pharaoh’s household. The term “butler” is sometimes translated as “cupbearer.” Both men were responsible for ensuring the health and safety of Pharaoh’s food and drink. We are not told in the Scripture the exact reasons for their being put in prison. All we know is that they somehow offended Pharaoh, and he was angry and displeased with them.
Their imprisonment intersects with Joseph’s life, creating a divinely orchestrated moment where these three suffering individuals meet. This encounter clearly highlights just how God can use our trials to connect us with others in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances. This meeting of these men will dramatically change all their lives. I believe this is one of the reasons why God sometimes allows us to suffer, so that we might touch and minister to someone else in the midst of their struggles. In fact, you really can’t relate to someone who is suffering, unless you have also suffered. When you meet someone who has similarly suffered as you have, you naturally have instant compassion for them. Why? Because you know exactly what they are thinking and feeling. You know their struggles, because you have been there. This is exactly what Paul told the Corinthians when he wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Cor. 1:3-4). Notice, God first comforts you in your tribulation, and then He uses you to comfort someone else in the midst of their trials.
Eternal rewards.
There is another benefit to ministering to others in their time of need, and that is, God is going to reward you eternally for your care and love toward others. You remember when Jesus spoke to the disciples about His eternal judgment, He told them, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matt. 25:31-40).
You don’t go through the trials and difficulties in your life for no reason or purpose, and neither do you come upon others who are suffering without a divine purpose. When you see people in need before you, will you show compassion on them? If you do, Jesus will count this act of love toward them as if you did it to Him. Think about that! That is an incredible thought. Remember this truth the next time you see someone in your path who is hurting or in need.
Joseph’s willingness to interpret these dreams.
Joseph’s response to the butler and baker clearly demonstrated his compassion and unwavering faith in God. Despite his own trials, he noticed their sadness and took the time to ask them why they seemed so sad. This question showed that his heart had remained tender, and he had not become hardened by bitterness, because he could still see and care for others. Many times, when a person suffers betrayal at the hands of others, they get hardened and calloused within. They can become a person with no compassion, because they are angry and resentful. But that was not where Joseph was at this moment in his life. Why? Because Joseph must have dwelt with these attitudes before God, and he must have already chosen to forgive and let his resentment go. How can I be so sure?
Joseph then offered to interpret the dreams of the butler and baker, which also reflected his humility and trust in God. Notice that he didn’t claim to have the answers himself, but pointed these two men to God, saying, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” Joseph’s humility stands in stark contrast to how some might respond after enduring betrayal or injustice. Remember, when we suffer, we will either become bitter or better. Joseph chose the latter. Instead of blaming God or turning away from his faith, he remained humble and steadfast. His example should challenge each of us to trust God even in the darkest times of our lives, recognizing God’s sovereignty and His ability to bring good out of evil.
It is also important to see that Joseph still believed in God, and that He would give him the interpretations to these dreams. Joseph was still a man of faith, and not a cynic. But the important question to answer in Joseph’s statement is, why do prophetic utterances and their interpretations belong only to God? Because true prophetic utterances or prophetic dreams are telling the future, and the future only belongs to God. The future is God’s domain, not man’s. No one knows what is going to happen tomorrow, but He does! Therefore, any interpretation given for a dream or prophetic utterances belongs to God only. In Isaiah 41:21-23, note how God challenges false gods, saying: “‘Present your case,’ says the Lord. ‘Bring forth your strong reasons,’ says the King of Jacob. ‘Let them bring forth and show us what will happen. Let them show the former things, what they were, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare to us things to come, that we may know that you are gods.’” Therefore, the ability to accurately predict the future sets God apart from all other religions of the world. There is no one like Him!
I believe that the issue of prophecy and prophetic utterances in the Scripture is one of the strongest proofs that the Bible is the Word of God, and not the word of man. Many Bible scholars, debate about how much of the Bible is given over to the prophetic element. Some say that one quarter of the Bible contains passages devoted to specific predictions of the future, while others believe up to half of the Bible is prophetic. It is important to note that there are entire chapters in Ezekiel, Isaiah, Daniel, and Jeremiah that are entirely given to prophetic utterances. Most of the minor prophets are entirely given to prophecy. These utterances predict what will happen to a person’s life, a nation or a city’s future, and many of these prophecies are specifically given over to the future destruction or blessing of the nation of Israel. If you want to strengthen your faith, just begin to study the prophecies of Scripture. This study will dramatically affect you in a positive way.
Jesus told the future!
It is important to remember in this topic of prophetic predictions, that Jesus gave many prophecies concerning the future. These prophetic utterances are more numerous than we can count. He predicted His own death and resurrection many times (Mark 8:31; Mark 9:31; Mark 10:34). Jesus predicted that His own disciples would be persecuted because of Him (John 15:20-21). In Luke 21:24 Jesus predicted that the nation Israel would be led captive into all nations, and remain out of their land until the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled. Referring to this same time in history, the Bible declared that the Jews would return to their land, and God said, “My Servant David,” referring to the Messiah, would come to reign forever more (Ez. 36-37). Jesus also predicted countless future events that will take place at the end of time in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. When Jesus told of events that would take place in His own lifetime, He was right every single time. Why did He do this? Jesus told his disciples why in John 14:29. He declared, “Now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass you may believe.” This is the point of the prophecies given in Scripture; God wants you to believe in Him, and that He knows what He is talking about.
Pointing someone to God.
There is one last thing I want you to consider before we leave these verses; note how God used Joseph in the midst of all his suffering. Joseph, by the wisdom of God, used the butler’s and baker’s dreams as an opportunity to point them to the power and wisdom of God. This principle is key for us as well. If you want to win others to Christ, and be effective in sharing the gospel, you must relate a person’s problems to God, and that He has the solution to their problems. In other words, explain that God has the solution to their problems. That is basically what Joseph did here with the butler and the baker. So, the next time someone at work or at a family gathering begins to tell you about a problem in their lives, explain that God has a solution for them, and then share the truth of God’s Word. Remember that when people share their struggles with you, it’s an opportunity to share how God can provide solutions and comfort for them.
Jesus modeled this approach, turning ordinary conversations that people had with Him into an opportunity to share spiritual truth. For example, Jesus transitioned a discussion about water to drink into a conversation about, “living water,” that would satisfy the soul of a Samaritan woman (John 4). Similarly, Paul used the Athenians’ altar to an, “unknown god,” to introduce them to the true God that was unknown to them (Acts 17). We should follow their example by seizing every opportunity to connect people’s problems to the God we know and love, and to His power and ability to help. Sometimes, it’s as simple as sharing a personal story of how God worked in your life, or the life of someone you know. These real-life examples resonate deeply in people’s hearts, and opens the door for the gospel.
The dreams of the butler and the baker, Vs. 9-22
The next section of this chapter beginning in verse 9, the author continues, “Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, ‘Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. Then Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.’ And Joseph said to him, ‘This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you were his butler. But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.’ When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, ‘I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.’ So Joseph answered and said, ‘This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from you.’ Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them” (Gen. 40:9-22).
The butler and the baker experience two distinct dreams with vastly different outcomes. The butler’s dream featured a vine with three branches that blossomed and bore ripe grapes, which symbolized restoration and life. In contrast, the baker’s dream involved baskets of bread that were consumed by birds, representing death and judgment.
How did Joseph understand these dreams, and interpret them correctly?
The interpretations to these two dreams were given by revelation to Joseph. Revelation is something that comes as a flash of insight at a specific moment in your mind, or by divine visitation. In this circumstance it appears that Joseph obtained these revelations by the understanding that God gave him instantly at that moment in his mind. Why do I believe this was the method? Because there is nothing in the text that shows there was an angelic visitation that had come to instruct him. In addition, the text teaches that Joseph heard the dream, as told by the butler and baker, and instantly interpreted them.
In a general sense, revelation has been given to every believer throughout their walk with Christ. Revelation comes to your mind while you are reading the Scripture, or when you are in prayer, or any time the Lord chooses to give it. God simply speaks to His children, they hear His voice, and receive insight and wisdom from God. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice… and they follow Me” (John 10:27). You remember that after the birth of Jesus, when Joseph and Mary brought their Son to the Temple to be circumcised, Simeon came at the prompting of the Holy Spirit and declared, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32). This passage reveals that Simeon came to the Temple, because he was divinely led by the Spirit, and instantly had a revelation at that moment that Jesus was the Messiah of Israel. How did he know this fact? It was by an instant revelation of God. But also notice that Simeon revealed that Jesus would bring revelation to the Gentiles too. This revelation is how you came to salvation in Christ (Rom. 16:25). He opened your eyes one day to the reality that you were a sinner, and Christ was your Savior.
Peter was given revelation while he was on the roof praying at Simon the tanner’s house. You remember that Peter saw a vision of unclean animals placed before him, and he was told to rise kill and eat. Peter argued with the Lord, but God confirmed to him again His first command. Then three men came from the house of Corneilus, a Gentile, desiring Peter to go with them. The Scripture declared, “While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them’” (Acts 10:19-20). This is another example of revelation, and how God guides His people through this means.
In addition, as a believer you should be praying for revelation and wisdom in the truths of God’s Word. Paul prayed, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:17-20). I’m sure that each of you have had those moments when you are listening to your pastor teach, or you are reading the Scripture, or in prayer, and there is an instant illumination and understanding about how a verse of Scripture applies to you, or something that you should do. That is revelation! This is also how Joseph knew the correct interpretation of these dreams by the butler and the baker.
Parabolic figures remain constant.
Today we also have the parabolic constants given in Scripture to guide our correct interpretation of parables, and other figurative language. Jesus spoke in parables and figurative language many times. Sometimes He interpreted these parables, and other times He did not. Understanding biblical terms and parabolic figures is crucial for interpreting Scripture accurately. It is essential to understand that these “parabolic constants” remain consistent throughout the Bible. Let me give you some examples.
The vine is used as a symbol of life, fruitfulness, good, of God Himself, and of the nation of Israel when it was obedient to God. This is the way the vine is used figuratively throughout the Word of God. The psalmist declared that God had brought Israel out of Egypt. He wrote, “You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it. You prepared room for it, and caused it to take deep root, and it filled the land” (Ps. 80:8-9). Then Jeremiah turned around and called Israel a degenerate vine because of their disobedience when he prophesied, “Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?” (Jer. 2:21). In Psalm 128:3 David used the vine to describe fruitfulness, when he described children in a home. He wrote, “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine.” Jesus also used the vine to describe Himself as the only One who can bring fruitfulness into our lives spiritually when He declared, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1-2). Therefore, you can obviously see that the vine is always used both in the Old and New Testaments to describe fruitfulness, life, good, or the Lord Himself. This is why Joseph interpreted the butler’s dream to reveal the blessing and good that would come to him.
The same is true for birds in the Old and New Testaments. Birds are always a symbol of Satan, evil, or iniquity throughout the Scripture. In the dream that the baker had, the birds represented his own death at the hand of Pharoah. When Jeremiah spoke of the evil in the nation Israel he wrote, “For among My people are found wicked men; they lie in wait as one who sets snares; they set a trap; they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit” (Jer. 5:26-27). The birds clearly symbolize the wickedness and deceit of the people. In the New Testament, Jesus interpreted His own Parable of the Sower when He explained that the birds of the air to be Satan himself. The Devil came and stole the seed of God’s Word from some people whose hearts were hardened toward Him. Jesus taught, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside” (Matt. 13:19). You can see this use of birds representing evil many other places in the Scripture (Rev. 19:21; Matt. 13:32).
If you misunderstand these figurative terms, you will misinterpret many passages in the Scripture. For example, one of the parables of Jesus in Matthew 13, is often misinterpreted because of the lack of understanding these parabolic constants. The parable I’m referring to is the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Jesus taught, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches” (Matt. 13:31-32). Many interpret this parable to mean that the church is going to grow from a tiny seed into a great tree that will bless the whole world. They teach that the birds here refer to all the people of the world that will become saved. The only problem with this interpretation is that the parabolic constant of birds is changed into something good, instead of how it is used every other place in Scripture, referring to evil. In addition, a mustard plant never grows into a tree, because it is only a shrub. If a mustard plant grew into a tree, it would be something that it was never intended to be. When you consider church history, it is obvious that after the church was declared to be the state religion by Emperor Theodosius in 380 CE, the church became something Jesus never intended it to be, a political tool of kings. Emperor Theodosius also criminalized all other pagan religions, which then forced all pagans (birds) into the church. Pagans were forced into the church under penalty of death. Jesus also explained that this is exactly what was going to happen in the Parable of the Tares. Jesus interpreted this parable when He said, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13:37-43). Thus, according to Jesus, there will be an incredible amount of evil sown in the church until the end of time.
I hope you can see why you must understand these parabolic terms in the Scriptures. If you do not, you miss the point of what Jesus was warning His disciples about. If you don’t hear this warning, then you won’t take the appropriate action to protect yourself and the church.
Joseph is forgotten. Vs. 23
The chapter concludes with this sad note: “Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph but forgot him” (Gen. 40:23). This was so unfair! How could the butler forget Joseph, the man who had comforted him, encouraged him, and interpreted his dream? It was so unfair and wrong. But as with many perplexing moments in life, this was all part of God’s greater plan for this man of faith. If we overlook this verse, we miss a profound principle that is clearly taught in this entire story of Joseph’s life: people may forget you, but God will never forget you, or your work and labor of love you have shown toward His name (Heb. 6:10). Why do I say this?
If you didn’t have verse 23, and knowing the rest of the story, then I assure you that you would not be able to understand a lot of the difficulties that come in your own life, especially when people forget you. I’m sure that Joseph struggled with the fact that the butler did forget him. We know from Genesis 41:1, that two years passed, and Joseph saw no release from his prison. Did Joseph get depressed, and think to himself, I’m not helping anyone else ever again. People don’t care even if you love and help them. Or, did he get upset with God and blame Him for the butler’s forgetfulness? Did Joseph wonder, God have you forgotten your promises to me in those dreams you gave me? We will never know what Joseph was thinking at this moment, because the Scripture doesn’t tell us. But I am sure that this was another test of Joseph’s faith. How could it not be? It is easy for us who know the rest of the story of Joseph, to think, Oh, it will all work out for the best, but Joseph didn’t know that, just as we don’t know how the trials we are in right now will work themselves out. But we know our God, and that He always has a plan that He is working out in all of our lives. Never forget, as Paul taught, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). We can know and be assured that God is working all things out for our good, because He loves us, and has proven His great love by going to the cross for each of us. Never forget that His love, plan, and timing are all being worked out in our lives according to His will. So, trust Him and commit your life into His hands, because you are not going to change His timing or His plan. Submit to Him all your thoughts, and rest in the fact of His love for you. This is the bottom line!
Now if you are thinking, I don’t like your plan or your timing God, then you are in real trouble. You are failing the test of your faith at this moment. You are most likely listening to the lies of the enemy of your soul right now. You are yielding to those lies the same way Adam and Eve did in the Garden when they rebelled against the commands of God. Remember, the Devil charged God with fault, because He restricted their access to only one tree in the Garden (Gen. 3:1-6). Satan said that God was being unfair for doing this. But God knew by this restriction from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He was keeping them from what would destroy them. God only keeps back from you something that He knows will only harm you. The psalmist declared, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps. 84:11). Do you believe His Word? If you do believe what He has said, then submit yourself, commit your way into His hand, because He is the One Who knows all things.
God Never Forgets
The critical truth in this story of Joseph, is that God never forgets His people. It may feel like He does sometimes, as probably Joseph thought in the midst of his struggle, but the reality is, He did not forget him. This is such a vital truth to remember when you are in the midst of terrible tragedy and trial, because if anyone knows what is happening, it is the Lord! Jesus assured His disciples, “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7). If God cares for the smallest sparrow, how much more does He care for you? He knows every detail of your life and values you deeply. I remembered this verse of Scripture once when I was in the backcountry of the High Sierra mountains, and I came upon a sparrow that was entangled in some fishing line that some fisherman had left on the ground. I took out my knife and cut the sparrow free. Then I thought to myself, How incredible that God cared enough for this little sparrow, that He brought me here just to save its life. He cared for this sparrow; how much more does He care for you?
God also confirmed His caring through the Prophet Isaiah when He assured His people, “Can a woman forget her nursing child and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you” (Is. 49:15). This is God’s declaration of care for His backslidden people. “I will not forget you!” What assurance this gives to parents who have prodigal children who are away from the Lord. What assurance this truth gives to each of us in the midst of difficult trials or tragedies in our lives. The question God asked in this verse is a powerful comparison of human love and God’s love. There are not a lot of mothers that harden their hearts against their nursing infant. Surely there may be some who would forget their infant child, but God says you can’t ever put me in that category of being forgetful or uncaring. There is a possibility that some people will forget those they should love, just as the butler forgot Joseph. But God says, not Me! In fact, the Lord even strengthened His commitment to us by declaring, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear’” (Heb. 13:5-6). These promises should give any believer tremendous confidence in the midst of trials. But, if at this moment you turn and start charging God with forgetting and forsaking you, good things will not continue in your life. Why? Because these are statements of unbelief, not faith. This is how we know that Joseph chose to trust God while he was in prison. So, trust Him! He has got His eye on you, and also those whom you are praying for today that are struggling.
The application!
Waiting for God to fulfill His promises is always difficult, but as you wait, this is where God shapes your character. Joseph waited 13 years through the trials that humbled him and prepared him for the extraordinary role he would later play in Egypt. He was 17 years old when he was sold by his brothers, and Scripture also tells us that he was 30 years old when he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream (Gen. 41:46). Suffering unjustly for this length of time must have been very difficult for Joseph, but it produced the most profound growth in this man’s life, as we will see in the following chapters.
When we face delays like Joseph did, especially when we are in difficult circumstances, it can be overwhelming at times. But this is when you must go to the Lord in prayer, in submission, and with humility and trust, being assured that God knows what is happening to you, and will not forget His promises to you. You must be confident that neither will He forsake you, so that one day you will declare, “The LORD was my helper, I will not fear the future.” Ask God for the infilling of His Spirit to enable you with His grace to endure your circumstances, and to fully follow Him. Warren Wiersbe, one of my favorite authors, said, “When God is building character, He is never in a hurry.” I love and hate these words at the same time, because I want instant character. I don’t want to have to wait in the midst of trials to be transformed. I’m way too impatient for this process to play out. But my ways are not His ways, neither are my thoughts, His thoughts (Is. 55:8-9). Remember Abraham! He tried to help God out when he got impatient over the child the Lord had promised. If he would have trusted God, he could have had that promised child much sooner than he did. But Abraham impatiently tried to help God out, and ended up waiting 25 years for the child, and almost gave up. So, the question is, will you try and work things out by yourself? Or, will you wait upon the Lord, and ask for His help and direction for how to get through your trials? I assure you that waiting on Him will always yield the best results!