Hebrews 11:17-22, By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.


Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.


Romans 8:25, …if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.


- Romans 12:2, …be patient in tribulation…

- Ephesians 4:2, …patience, bearing with one another in love…

- James 1:2,3, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

- Romans 5:3, And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience…


“Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.”
- G. Campbell Morgan


Big idea: True faith actively waits for God to work.

Genesis 39:2-4, The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.


1) Believe that God can bless in the most unlikely circumstances.


Romans 14:4, It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.


Genesis 39:8,9, But he refused and said to his master's wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

2) See temptation as an attack on your personal connection with God.


Psalm 51:4, Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…


Genesis 39:23, The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.


Genesis 41:14-16, Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. 15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

3) Look for moments to give God credit.


I Peter 4:10,11, As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.


Genesis 50:19-21, But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.