Live by Faith, Not by Sight

Dear Friends,

Today in Genesis 40:1-23, we encounter Joseph in prison and seemingly in limbo. God is still with him though and we know from the rest of the story that God is powerfully at work behind the scenes. When Joseph was 17 years old, God promised him through two dreams that his family would bow down to him. Humanly speaking, that doesn’t seem like a remote possibility at this point.

Joseph has been in prison for about 11 years. During this time, he is learning of the importance of living by faith in the promises of God and not by sight (see 2 Corinthians 5:7). He has, by God’s power, been able to interpret the dreams of the cup bearer and the baker and three days later these dreams come true. No doubt these dreams would have reminded Joseph of his own dreams, which speak of him being a ruler over his family. He has to be patient and trust God’s timing in the fulfilment of these dreams.

Joseph is a wonderful example of learning to trust God in difficult and challenging times and of not losing heart but to continue to serve the Lord. Despite the fact that the cup bearer forgot Joseph, we know that God never forgets us and that He always keeps His promises. It is during difficult and dark and discouraging times that we must learn to cling to God’s Word and to live by faith, not by sight. This is a lesson that is repeated throughout the Bible.

God’s blessing, David O’Mara

From the AM Pastor’s Bulletin, 24 October 2021