Many times we find ourselves stuck in a waiting period. Not like a waiting room or waiting on something in the natural. But I mean, like waiting on a promise from God to be fulfilled. Or You have asked God for something and you’re waiting on Him to act, or move or something–anything! It is easy to get overwhelmed, distracted and loose hope. Its easy to even give up. Don’t! Please don’t loose heart or give up on any promise from the Lord. He has a plan and He is working in and through your life even when  and where you would least expect it. 

As we look at the story of Joseph, we can see how God had directed Joseph’s steps all through his life. (If you are unfamiliar with this story, go back and read it!) Over and over again the scripture says, “and the Lord was with Joseph.” Each new circumstance brought his way, the Lord was with Him, moving in and through the people all around him to bring him to the place God had destined for Him to be.

 

Joseph was given 2 dreams about his destiny (when he was about 17 years old) but it was over 20 years before he saw the fulfillment of those dreams. Wow! What did he do in those years in between? He experienced some hardship, more hardship then was given a reprieve in Potiphar’s house, then hardship again, a glimmer of hope-then left forgotten, then reprieve again in the palace, then the realization of his dream coming to pass. His family eventually came and bowed before him and needed His help. -I would imagine the 17 year old bay seeing that dream, was a very different Joseph, than the mature Joseph who witnessed the dream’s fulfillment. What happened in between? The waiting period.  

In this story, Joseph had a long and hard waiting period. We don’t know what went on in his spirit during these years, but He had a lot of growing up to do in some very tough places. And when that happens, that is usually a time of refinement. We all know the analogies of: refining in the fire, pressing of the olives for oil, how time and pressure creates a diamond, and so on.. So too for us, the refining process is not usually easy, fun or comfortable. It is, in fact, quite the opposite. But as in the analogies mentioned above, the outcome is pure, it’s more refined, and it is beautiful.

 

I wonder, if Joseph hadn’t spent those years of waiting in those tough places, would He have been so kind to his family? After a betrayal like this and no time spent in the waiting period, in the refining period, I’m not sure He would have. Remember, he was the “favorite” child! He was going to be the spoiled one. He had the beautiful coat to prove it… No one else got a fancy coat… We all know kids who grow up spoiled don’t  always turn out to be the kindest…. haha But in His waiting, he was given all the “tools” he needed to grow into the person God destined Him to be. His character was refined in his waiting period. The outcome of the man he was molded and shaped into, was a man that he was used by God to save his family and the lives of many.   

The Lord knew what Joseph would have endure, where he needed to be placed, who he needed to be in contact with (or in a cell with). God knew -and still knows- it all! So today, take a look at your life, see your coworkers, your family, your home, your work, your surroundings. God also knew all you needed to endure. All those you needed and currently need to be in contact with. He knows the place you are in and the place you will need to be. All according to His design to accomplish His will in your life. Who can fight against that!?

He is Lord of it all, he knows your situation, He sees your hardship, and He knows the plans He has for you. He has purposefully placed you here for such a time as this. It may not look like much is happening in your eyes, but as scripture says, …know[ing] that the testing of your faith produces patience, and let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing… James 1:2-8

Notice in the story, Joseph didn’t make these connections on His own. Situations arose, and God placed certain people in His path. Joseph just took what He was given and did the best he could with what He had. Be diligent, have integrity, commit your works to the Lord and  He will establish You.  

Trust in Him, don’t give up on Him. He has a plan, He is still at work in your life and He will never leave you or forsake you. The Lord is Your provider, your very present help in time of need. He can work all these things out for your good. Stay in connection with the Lord, pray, and hear his instructions, be obedient and He will bring you by a way you did not know. Because of Joseph’s obedience, he fulfilled the dreams he had at 17 years old. Don’t relent in your time of waiting, no matter how bleak it may seem. Remember Joseph was in prison for a false accusation of rape! The glimmer of hope he saw with His friends being called to the king was dimmed by being forgotten. God stepped in, in His perfect timing and changed his circumstances- Drastically! Literally from the lowest low- to the highest place in the palace.

Keep serving God, Keep in touch with Him and Keep preparing yourself for all that the Lord will do in your life and through your life. When He knows you are ready, He will place you up in your position of destiny. But in the waiting period keep serving, keep learning and keep growing.

Let’s pray, Thank You Jesus for ordering my steps. Thank You Lord, for knowing my past, present and future. Thank you for the plans you have for my life and your perfect process at work right now. I may not always like it but I will always surrender to all that you have in store for me and look for you in every area for my life. Thank You Lord for your goodness, your faithfulness, your mercy for when I fall and Your guidance to get me back up on my feet. Praise to Your name today and forever! Amen!