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Holding On In The Dark Genesis 40 John Marquette Pat Anderson

And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 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. 23 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 39:20-23 (ESV)

Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. Genesis 40:1-4 (ESV)

And one night they both dreamed the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. 7 So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, Why are your faces downcast today? 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 40:5-8 (ESV)

So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, In my dream there was a vine before me, 10 and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 11 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. 12 Then Joseph said to him, This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh's cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. Genesis 40:9-13 (ESV)

Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit. Genesis 40:14-15 (ESV)

When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, 17 and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head. 18 And Joseph answered and said, This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. 19 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you! and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you. Genesis 40:16-19 (ESV)

On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. Genesis 40:20-22 (ESV)

The Point Is The dreams proved to be true and affirmed Joseph as wise. The story showed that God was at work in Joseph s life and in control even in the darkness. The story revealed that Joseph continued to trust in the promises of God to remain true.

Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Genesis 40:23 (ESV)

Five Truths About Suffering 1. Suffering is real and we will experience some in our lives.

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, I have prevailed over him, lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. Psalm 13:1-4 (ESV)

Five Truths About Suffering 1. Suffering is real and we will experience some in our lives. 2. Nothing changes about God He remains the same.

For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. Malachi 3:6 (ESV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

Five Truths About Suffering 1. Suffering is real and we will experience some in our lives. 2. Nothing changes about God He remains the same. 3. God uses suffering in our lives.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 (ESV)

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)

From the human side Joseph s suffering was due to the injustice on the part of Potiphar, and ingratitude on the part of the butler. From the Divine side these years were permitted for the purpose of training and preparing Joseph for the great work that lay before him. Tom Constable

Five Truths About Suffering 1. Suffering is real and we will experience some in our lives. 2. Nothing changes about God He remains the same. 3. God uses suffering in our lives. 4. God does not forsake us during suffering.

But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:1-3 (ESV)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV) You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV) if we are faithless, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV)

Be not afraid to trust God utterly. As you go down the long corridor you may find that He has preceded you and locked many doors which you would fain have entered; but be sure that beyond these there is one which He has left unlocked. Open it and enter and you will find yourself face to face with a bend of the river of opportunity, broader and deeper than anything you dared to imagine in your sunniest dreams. Launch forth on it; it conducts to the open sea. Paul, A Servant of Jesus Christ, F. B. Meyer

Our faithfulness is the key to overcoming suffering.

It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply. A. W. Tozer

Holding On In The Dark Genesis 40 John Marquette Pat Anderson