Gen 40:14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.

Gen 40:14  But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house. Joseph was in a prison in Egypt when he met two fellow prisoners - Pharaoh’s chief butler and chief baker. Both the butler and the baker had dreams on the same night. They told Joseph their dreams and he interpreted their dreams. The butler’s dream foretells that he will be reinstated to his position as chief butler to Pharaoh while the baker’s dream foretells his death. Joseph said to the butler: “But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house” (v.14). What do you suppose was going through Joseph’s head when he spoke those words? Probably he was thinking of the many injustices that had happened to him - sold into slavery by his own brethren, and put in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He had hold on to his faith in God. Still, after more than ten years, he was still in prison. Life just was not fair, so he thought. He hoped the chief butler would change all that. True to Joseph’s interpretation, the chief butler was reinstated to his post as chief butler to Pharaoh. Sadly, he forgot about Joseph. Joseph waited for the good news to come. It didn’t! The good news came at a much later date. What Joseph wished for was to be set free from prison. What he got far exceeded what he had wished for: He was made the second in command of Egypt. It reminds me of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” God works in His own time. God has His own timetable. Good things come to those who wait. Sometimes, things happen in our lives that seem out of place. We did right and yet we were blamed. We are active in our services and attendances in church, but our lives are still filled with troubles. We have trouble in work and at home. We have relationship problems in our marriages and families. We have health issues. A loved one is suffering. It sickens us to see those we love dearly suffer. We are tempted to give up on God. We are tempted to say it’s not fair. Every time that we have those thoughts, we need to consider the life of Joseph. Joseph suffered a worse fate than most of us. He did not ask for payment but only a request that the butler not forget him when he was restored to his post. Yet, that simple request was denied. Then, as we read on about his life, we realise that God was working behind the scene all this time. God wasn’t doing nothing when Joseph was in prison. God was setting up the stage to raise Joseph from prison to one of the highest positions in Egypt. Even if you find yourself in “prison,” don’t lose hope in God’s promises. God is working. Some things take time, especially good things. Good Ramen soup is slowly brewed for 12 to 24 hours. What if a chef lacks patience and does a quick brew of just an hour? What do you think of the soup? Joseph was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh (Genesis 41:46). If it had been delivered ten years earlier from prison, he would be too young to be the prime minister of Egypt. God was working all things together for his good and for His scheme of redemption. God never promised that when we follow Him, our lives will be smooth sailing. Instead, He promised us tribulations (John 16:33). But he wants us to look at Joseph. He promised that when we follow Him like Joseph did, we will be blessed like Joseph. Brethren, God can’t bless you if you are not faithful. Remember this: Life is unfair; but God is always fair. Don’t let injustice cause you to lose your faith! Remember Joseph.