When I was left with my grandparents for extended
times, I became homesick, “literally sick.” My grandparents were at wits-end trying
to comfort me. I felt forgotten and
forsaken, unable to fully understand that my parents
would come back for me. I empathize with others who have been
homesick.
Sincerely I sympathize
with those incarcerated, often forgotten and forsaken. Serving in a prison ministry years ago, I
struggled to write letters as I could not truly
empathize, having never lost my personal freedom.
Despite Joseph’s accurate interpretation
of the chief butlers' dream, Pharaoh’s official failed to remember him,
(actively forgot him) once he was freed from prison. Gen. 40:20–23
Two years would
pass before the Lord intervened in Joseph’s circumstances, showing clearly His
presence with him and His unfolding plan for restoration.
We know Joseph persevered, looking
past his sufferings to seek refuge in God’s invisible hand. We also must do so, even when it seems more
rational to do otherwise.
Joseph proclaims this truth about his
brothers’ betrayal in Genesis 50:20. “You intended to
harm me, but God intended it
for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving
of many lives.”
Joseph had come to know the
inherent nurturing nature of God; that He could not and would not forget His
children.
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no
compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget
you! See, I have
engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:15-16
When we experience intense personal suffering, we
are prone to think God has forgotten us. “Lord help us to trust You to work in our
trials to bring about Your perfect plan and to know You will never forget us!"
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