“. . . we mustn’t equate his [God’s] delay with a deaf ear.”- Dr. Wayne Stiles
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”
“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”- Genesis 41:15-16
As Wayne Stiles moves on in Chapter 6 of Waiting on God, he observes that sometimes what we interpret as God’s apathy really demonstrates His mercy. After Joseph told the cupbearer the meaning of his dream, the cupbearer promptly forgot Joseph. Imagine, however, the results if the cupbearer remembered and immediately spoke to Pharaoh.
Most likely, Dr. Stiles reasons, Pharaoh would have released Joseph and allowed him to return to Hebron. Then Joseph, along with his entire family, would have perished in the upcoming famine. Therefore, God allowed the cupbearer to forget Joseph, prolonging Joseph’s wait. As a result of his wait, Joseph received an answer far greater than he anticipated.
Joseph looked to the cupbearer as an immediate answer to prayer. Indeed, Wayne notes, the cupbearer was the answer. However, the answer took longer than Joseph expected. Joseph needed to affirm his trust in God as he waited on Him.
Similarly, Dr. Stiles points out, we need to maintain an open mind toward those who prove to be significant in our lives:
“We never know who will prove significant in our lives. We have no clue. Those we presumed would make all the difference often turn out to be duds. Instead, God frequently uses unimportant or unexpected people as the means of significant transitions.”
God wants to give us His best. Don’t equate His delay with a deaf ear.
Today’s question: During your desert, land between time, have you equated God’s delay with a deaf ear? Please share.
Coming Monday: the new Short Meditation, “Strong enough?”
Tomorrow’s blog: Prosperity’s greatest temptation”
