Hope in a Hard PlaceSample

Victory Does Come

Joseph was going about his business of running the prison when the butler and the baker from the palace both were thrown into his cellblock. They had offended Pharaoh. Soon, both men had dreams, and Joseph interpreted the meaning.

Joseph told the butler that his dream meant he would be restored to service, but the baker’s dream meant that he would have his head chopped off. Joseph was correct. It happened just that way. As the butler headed back to Pharaoh’s chambers, Joseph asked him, “Remember me when it is well with you…and make mention of me to Pharaoh…” (Gen. 40:14–15).

But the butler forgot about Joseph. Imagine how Joseph’s hope must have waned as weeks, then months, went by. He could have become discouraged beyond belief in that hard place.

Then one day, Pharaoh himself had two dreams, and no one could interpret them. At that moment, the butler remembered Joseph. He was summoned to the palace and interpreted the dreams, revealing that there would be seven years of plenty in Egypt, followed by seven years of famine. The Spirit of the Lord spoke through Joseph that Pharaoh should select “a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt” to prepare for the famine.  (Gen. 41:33-43).

Guess who Pharaoh chose? That’s right: Joseph! After years of suffering in hard places, in one day Joseph moved from the prison to the palace and became the second in command over all of Egypt!

And that’s not the end of the story either. Several years later his brothers traveled from Israel during the famine, asking him for food, and they bowed down to him, just like in Joseph’s dreams (Gen. 42:6).

Joseph forgave them for betraying him, declaring, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Gen. 50:20). 

God knows exactly how to take evil and work it for good in your hard place too. Joseph never gave up, never got mad at God. He continued to rise up, use his gifts, and make the best of every situation. Joseph came out of the hard places on top, and he brought many people with him. If he could do it, you can too!

Did this plan help you? It’s an excerpt from my book Why God Why: What To Do When Life Doesn’t Make Sense. You can read the first part here.