Feb. 25, 2009 - Beneficial Delays
"If the chief butler had got Joseph to be released from prison, it is probable he would have gone back to the land of the Hebrews. Then he had neither been so blessed himself, nor such a blessing to his family, as afterwards he proved." -Matthew Henry's Commentary When the chief butler (and baker) were released from their imprisonment, they promptly forgot Joseph. I can see why the baker might forget or might keep his mouth shut even if he didn't forget, but why would the butler? But GOD allows these seemingly imcomprehensible things to happen for a reason. I had never thought of what M. Henry said above. If Joseph had been released after the butler's release, he probably would have gone home. That would have been great for him so he could reunite with his family. BUT, he would not have known about the famine to come. He and his family would have endured the famine with no pre-provision like GOD actually prepared with Joseph's delay from prison. Sometimes the delay of our release from our prisons are for our own future benefit and for the benefit of others. That is so hard for me to wrap my mind around. Sure, I can see it in Joseph's case. I have the whole story. But I do not have the whole story of my life set before me. I cannot see a good reason why I should continue on in my current woes (health issues, frustrations, trials...). I do not forsee any current benefit in staying this way, nor do I see any future benefits either. However, I know I do not have the whole story. I do not know what or who lies ahead. I do not know how much time I have here. I do know GOD is good, and if HE leaves me in my current situation, then there is good that will come of it. The good may not be in the now; it may be in the days ahead. It may be for my good; it may be for the good of others. GOD, help me to rest in that fact. YOU ARE GOOD; therefore, to continue in this current place I'm in is okay. YOU are allowing it for a reason. I have asked YOU for healing and for release, so I feel I have done my "part" in asking for healing and release. I'm sure Joseph asked YOU to free him many times. And so I will wait. I will trust that YOU will bring the open door at the right time. As much as I want it now, help me to wait until the right time. I cringe even as I write that, and YOU know that. Help me to strengthen my resolve and "endure". Keep reminding me that there will be good coming from it. I do ask YOU to cover my family though. I see the negative effects it can/is having on them. I pray they keep the good lessons and lose the bad things I seem to be passing on. May they remember YOUR hand of provision and mercy instead of my failures and shortcomings. May they rise above my bad habits. May they learn from this the lessons YOU would have for them. May YOU be real to them even now. I don't want them to just know about YOU; I want them to KNOW YOU. May they have their own living and active relationship with YOU. May they know YOUR power for themselves. May they know YOUR mercy and grace and forgiveness for themselves. Open all our eyes to see YOU more clearly. And help us to wait.
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