God's Glory Church

“But the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, and forgot about him.” — Genesis 40:23

Listening to the stories of the prisoners, it becomes clear that isolation and loneliness are probably the most difficult for them. According to the study, the majority of prisoners, regardless of their time behind bars, are visited only twice by friends or relatives. For them, loneliness is a constant reality.

One can only imagine the pain Joseph must have felt sitting in prison because of an unjust accusation of a crime. However, a glimmer of hope appeared for him. God helped Joseph to correctly interpret the dream of the prisoner, who turned out to be Pharaoh’s servant. Joseph said that he would be reinstated and asked that he mention him to Pharaoh so that Joseph could be freed (Genesis 40:14). However, Pharaoh’s servant “did not remember Joseph, and forgot about him” (v. 23). So Joseph had to wait another two years. Yet during the waiting period, with no sign of a change in his circumstances, Joseph was never completely alone because God was with him. Eventually, Pharaoh’s servant remembered his promise, and Joseph was released after correctly interpreting Pharaoh’s dream (Gen. 41:9-14).

Regardless of the circumstances that make us feel forgotten and the sense of loneliness that creeps into our hearts, we can hold on to God’s reassuring promise to His children: “I will not forget you!” (Is. 49:15).

Did you feel the pain of being forgotten? How does being reminded of God’s constant presence bring comfort?

Heavenly Father, help me to turn to You if I feel forgotten and to remember that You are always with me.

Author: Lisa Samra