Thursday, January 15, 2009

Forgotten, but not Forsaken

“Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.”
Genesis 40:23


Not long ago our family was heading out the door for church. My husband and son had gone out through our garage just moments ahead of me and I was turning off the lights, locking the door and following. As I was turning the key in the lock, the garage door began to close and I watched as my husband slowly began to pull out of the driveway. WHAT? I wasn’t even in the car yet. How could he forget me?

Forgotten. No-one likes the feelings that accompany abandonment. Discouragement surrounds as you think no-one cares and you are all alone. Joseph in our reading today certainly could empathize. His heart was filled with hope at the thought of a quick release and rapid pardon, but days, weeks, months pass and Joseph remains in prison. Once the cup bearer drank of freedom, he forgot others who were thirsty and in need.

Companions in adversity are soon neglected in prosperity.

I wonder if God ever feels forgotten by me? I’m so quick to call out to Him in times of trouble, but what about when life is great? Am I just as desperate to be in His presence? Do I long for Him as much, or more, than my answers from Him? Am I just as quick to give Him praise and spend time with Him when problems aren’t perplexing me? Is my fervency the same whether in want or abundance? Hardship creates need. Plenty ofen weakens desire.

Joseph however was not forgotten by God. The cup bearers' forgetfulness was part of God’s plan. It was, in a sense, God remembering Joseph. The Lord needed to keep him in prison until the time was right. When Joseph is released he is blessed, and as a result even his family will receive blessings.

God always provides, not necessarily according to our agenda, but His plans are always perfect. We saw in today’s reading how He provided seven years of plenty before seven years of famine. He was preparing the people and looking after their need before they would call. Again, he wasn’t going to forsake them, He was deepening their trust. Joseph learned in his disappointment to trust in God alone.

Do you need to place your complete trust in God today? You may feel forgotten, but you are not forsaken. He will set you free.

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

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3 comments:

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I just watched an incredible video by Beth in her Esther series. She talked about those "hinge" moments in our lives (peripity)when something shifts in the heavenlies on our behalf. Esther had many such moments, but on the night when Xerxes couldn't sleep, the hinge began to swing. As I've thought about it, there have been many hinge moments in my own journey. Rarely have I seen them coming, but God has. He orchestrated them. There is freedom that comes when we don't have to know the "how" of how it's all going to happen.

You're thoughts here reminded me of that.

Hope all is well, friend.

peace~elaine

Toia said...

Beautiful post!! That makes me think about how many times God may have felt forgotten by me?

But at the same time, He never left my side and never forgotten about me.

Thank you so much for this post.

I love your blog layout!!

Lisa Smith said...

Wow!!! Okay, I am adding your reads to my daily list now, too!! I am the one who has been missing out!!

This verse struck me too but I have (pridefully) never thought of myself as the forgetter...thanks!