Genesis 40:1-23

Brothers and sisters, today we stand upon a powerful truth—God places us exactly where we need to be to fulfill His purpose. Even when life seems unfair, even when the road is long and filled with hardship, the hand of the Lord is never absent. He is working, orchestrating, and positioning us for what is to come.

Now, let us return to Joseph. Betrayed by his own flesh and blood, sold into slavery, and thrown into prison for a crime he did not commit. If ever a man had reason to question God’s plan, it was Joseph. And yet, even in the darkness of that prison cell, God was working behind the scenes.

One day, Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and chief baker were thrown into the same prison where Joseph was confined. These were not common criminals—these were men of high rank, men who had once stood in Pharaoh’s court, men who had the ear of the king. And now, in the providence of God, they found themselves in the same place as Joseph.

Oh, my friends, this was not coincidence—this was divine appointment.

And so, the Bible tells us that one night, both the cupbearer and the baker had dreams. Disturbed and troubled, they awoke with downcast faces. And here is where we see the heart of Joseph. He could have ignored them. He could have been so consumed by his own suffering that he paid them no mind. But no—he saw their distress, and he asked, “Why are your faces downcast today?”

Church do not miss this! Even in his own hardship, Joseph was aware of the needs of others. How often do we miss divine appointments because we are too focused on our own burdens? How often do we walk past people in pain, never realizing that God has placed them in our path for a purpose?

The cupbearer and the baker shared their dreams, and Joseph, with wisdom from God, answered them: “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me.”

Now, listen to Joseph’s response. He does not say, “I have the answers.” He does not rely on his own wisdom. Instead, he points to God, the source of all truth. Brothers and sisters, when the world looks to us for answers, let us always point them to the One who holds all wisdom in His hands.

The cupbearer went first, and Joseph, through the Spirit of God, gave the interpretation: “In three days, Pharaoh will restore you to your position.”

But then came the baker’s turn, and his news was not good. Joseph did not sugarcoat the truth—he told him plainly that in three days, Pharaoh would take his life.

Now, here is where I want us to see something important. Joseph had been faithful. He had endured the pit, endured slavery, endured false accusation, and now, he saw an opportunity. The cupbearer would soon stand before Pharaoh again! And so, Joseph made a request— “Remember me when it is well with you… for I was stolen from the land of the Hebrews, and I have done nothing to deserve this prison.”

Church, have you ever been in that place? Where you see the light at the end of the tunnel? Where you think, finally! My breakthrough is near!

But what happened?

The cupbearer was restored… and he forgot Joseph.

Oh, the pain of being forgotten! The agony of watching someone walk into their blessing while you remain in waiting! Some of you have been there. You have been faithful yet overlooked. You have been diligent yet passed by. You have helped others, yet they have forgotten you.

But let me remind you of something—God never forgets His own.

The cupbearer may have forgotten, but God had not. The delay was not a denial. The waiting was not wasted. Because had Joseph been released right then, he may have gone home, back to Canaan, back to a quiet life. But God had something greater in store!

Joseph was not just meant to be free—he was meant to reign. And so, at the appointed time, when Pharaoh himself had a dream that no one could interpret, that was when the cupbearer remembered Joseph.

And so, I say to you today—trust God’s timing. Divine appointments are never late. Where you are right now is no accident. The people you meet, the doors that open, even the delays and disappointments—they are all part of His plan.

Be faithful where you are. Serve with excellence. Keep your eyes open for the assignments God has placed before you. Because when His time comes, no man can stop what He has set in motion.

And just as God raised Joseph from the prison to the palace, so too will He lift you up in His perfect time.

Amen.