-January 17, 2023-
Good morning, happy Tuesday,
“Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.”
(Genesis 40:23).
We are very forgetful creatures, especially in our older years. We need reminders of tasks to be done, places to go, things to be done, and especially with people’s names. People’s names are especially difficult. The older we get the harder it is. This is why we have diaries, day planners, and calendars both on paper and on our smartphones. The chief butler forgot Joseph. Did he do it on purpose? No, but he forgot him nonetheless.
While Joseph was in prison, he met two of Pharaoh’s staff, the chief butler and the chief baker. Pharaoh became angry with them and locked them both in the same prison that Joseph was in. The warden had seen that God was with him and was blessing him tremendously, so he put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners. Genesis 39:21-23 says, “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it to prosper.”
The Lord had done the same for him previously when he served Potiphar. Genesis 39:6 tells us, “Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.” God blessed him in whatever he did, and wherever he was. When the chief butler and chief baker told their dreams to Joseph he accurately gave them the interpretations from God. Pharaoh restored the chief butler to his former position but had the chief butler he hung.
The chief butler was so thrilled to be restored to his position and got so busy with his duties that he forgot Joseph. Later, after Pharaoh had dreams that no one could interpret, the butler remembered Joseph. Pharaoh called for him and the rest is history. He interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and he made him second in command in all Egypt. God was working behind the scenes for His perfect will and timing. Though the chief butler forgot him, God remembered him. Joseph was for years the forgotten man. Some speculate that Joseph was in prison for as many as thirteen years. He kept trusting the Lord in the darkest times. He never gave up or lost hope.
There are times when we think God has somehow forgotten us. We seem to be living and working in anonymity. We may think, does God care? Does he see or hear me? God never forgets us, nor does He fail to fulfill His promises. His timing is perfect. We should never lose sight of Him or stop communicating with Him in prayer daily. Job got very discouraged but never gave up. Job’s friends and family forgot him too. Job 11:14 says, “My relatives have failed, and my close friends have forgotten me.” It hurt, it hurt badly, it hurt worse than the physical pain of the boils on his body. Spiritual, mental, and emotional pain are far worse than physical pain.
Let us never forget each other, to pray for one another and know that God will never forget His man or His plan. He has promised to be with us and never leave us nor forsake us. He writes us on the palms of His hands. Others may forget us, but God never will. He loves us so much and wants the best for us. At times we may forget Him, but He is always caring and watching over us. Let us remember others and their needs. Praying for others is the best way to keep the saints in our hearts and in our thoughts.
Have a blessed day, not forgetting what the Lord has done for us and promised to us. Stay safe and healthy.
Never forgotten by our Lord and Savior,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 