Sometimes it seems like God has forgotten you. We know the promises about how God has a plan for our lives, and that He wants to give us great blessings. But sometimes it feels like you’re stuck in a pit.

We have to learn to sit back and trust the timing of God. One of the best examples of this principle is the story of Joseph. If you don’t know the story of Joseph (and the Technicolor Dreamcoat!), you might want to read Genesis 37. But, for review, remember these principles.

Joseph was put into the pit by his brothers when he told them about the dream he had in which all his brothers bowed down to him. He didn’t handle that very well! This is what the brothers said later about how Joseph acted in the pit:

Genesis 42:21

21 Then they said to one another, "Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us."

The first time Joseph was thrown into the pit, he completely freaked out! Then he was sold, ultimately to the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, Potipher. Potipher’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he refused. (That’s Genesis 39) Then she cried to her husband that Joseph had raped her, which was NOT true. So as we pick up this story, recognize that Joseph is thrown into the pit a second time! If you fail a test God gives you, you will have to take it again!

Genesis 39:19-23

19 Now when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, "This is what your slave did to me," his anger burned.

20 So Joseph's master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king's prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail.

21 But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.

Notice this time there is no whining, or distress of soul from Joseph! He has grown up spiritually and learned to depend on the Lord for all that he needs.

This was completely undeserved! Joseph had handled all of his master’s affairs with great integrity. He had resisted the temptation to lie with (yes that means sex) his master’s wife, and this is the thanks he gets! But you don’t see Joseph complaining!

Joseph has had all kinds of unfair treatment from people. He didn’t deserve to be sold into slavery by his own brothers, and he doesn’t deserve to be put in jail for something he didn’t do. But all of it is part of God’s plan for Joseph’s life. Notice in verse 21, even though people have treated him unfairly, GOD IS STILL WITH HIM.

Look how God takes care of Joseph!

22 The chief jailer committed to Joseph's charge all the prisoners who were in the jail; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it.

23 The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph's charge because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper.

Joseph is being trained in every aspect of leadership.

Outwardly, this situation looks like real adversity for Joseph. Instead of growing up with his family, he is in a foreign land, with no family, and in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. But God has a plan for Joseph, and this is exactly where Joseph needs to be at this moment!

Joseph has learned to trust God, and depend on His timing. So no matter what kind of pit you may be in, and how wrong the timing may seem to be, God has His perfect plan for your life laid in His own perfect timing. God wants you to be great! But He doesn’t train us in instant success, but in humble circumstances, where we can only depend on His grace.

We’ll look at more about Joseph in prison tomorrow.