Scripture Passage for Today
GENESIS 40:1-23, GENESIS 35:28-29, GENESIS 41:1-57
Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought. (Genesis 40:23 NLT)
Observation
Can you imagine being restored to an esteemed place of service to the king, and “never giving…another thought” to the one responsible for your restoration?
That’s what happens for Pharaoh’s cupbearer in today’s reading. Imprisoned for offending Pharaoh, the cupbearer has a dream, and Joseph—his prison-mate—interprets the dream and it’s promise of restoration. Joseph has one simple request of the cupbearer: “Please remember me. Mention me to Pharaoh.”
Simply put, the cupbearer doesn’t. Not even for a moment. Perhaps his joy at his restoration simply overran his good sense. Perhaps his duties as cupbearer resumed immediately, and the challenges of those renewed responsibilities captured all his time and energy. Regardless, the one who gave him hope was soon forgotten in his responsibilities to the king.
The cupbearer’s forgetfulness serves as a word of warning—especially to those of us deeply involved in serving Christ’s kingdom. I don’t wish to lean so heavily on the analogy that it collapses, but I am challenged to wonder how often the One who’s given me hope is forgotten in the thick of my “responsibilities” to the King—how often I’m busy with “Kingdom tasks” at the expense of gratitude and relationship with the One who’s erased my offense against the King and restored my opportunity to serve again.
I want my gratitude towards, and connection with, my Hope to be a genuine, consistent and natural priority.
…that is so true…n the same line of thought, at times it may seem that no one pays attention to the good things we may be doing for the Lord, but we have to remember…it is for God ‘only’ that we are doing these good ‘things’…not to be acknowledged for having done ‘good works’. Do you think Joseph was ‘working’ the grace of God and his own gifting by saying, ‘remember me’ to the cup bearer?
ReplyDeleteWhile reading these passages I put myself in Joseph's place. No matter what the circumstances He continually surrendered to God and seemed to put his trust in Him. He walked the right walk and God gave him favor in the midst of the circumstances - He did not deliver him out of the situations but took him through them victoriously. God's will was done because Joseph trusted and surrendered to God no matter what he was going through. God's ways are higher then ours. Our position is to trust and rely on Him and walk in His ways. We are to seek, surrender, trust and walk in His ways and God will take care of our needs and circumstances. He knows our needs more then we do. I desire to seek, to draw closer to Him, know His voice and follow His ways and let Him take care of my circumstances. Getting my eyes off of myself on on Him more and more.
ReplyDeleteMore of Him and less of me daily.
A good lesson for me here, is , to not worry. I need to be continously reminded that God is in control of everything. That is one thing I am thankful for. I will keep on, keepin on, trusting Him and be more aware of opportinities to give Him the praise, that He is soooo deserving of. I will work hard at thanking those who are a blessing to me and this world.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lord and thank you all, for all you do!
I want to more then anything to praise His holy nsme for all He does He deserves all the praise and I dont ever want to forget that in all that is done. Thank you Lord so much for caring and loving us Glory to your name!!!
ReplyDelete