Where is God's Promise?

If you have ever begun to wonder about God's promise to you, then this morning's word is for you. Sometimes we are tempted to join the scoffers of 2 Peter 3:4.

They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised?
Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on
as it has since the beginning of creation."

You were so encouraged by God's promise in the beginning. His word to you has sustained you. Now, even if you haven't verbalized the question, sometimes it quietly attacks your faith. Although we never read that Joseph questioned God, he certainly would have had sufficient opportunity, given his circumstances. God gives him dreams, and just as he speaks to Pharoh, the dreams are one and the same. Joseph will rule one day, and all his brothers will bow down to him.

On the way to his dream's fulfillment, Joseph first endures the pit. While visiting his brothers in the field, Joseph's point of view gets a literal adjustment. His brothers are not bowing to him but towering over him as he looks up from the bottom of the pit. This seems like a good time to remind God of the dream. Things are a little messed up here. This isn't a throne; it's a hole in the ground!

Today if you've been clinging to a promise that God has given you, but things just don't seem to be working out. I've got some good news for you. Often the pit you face today is the gateway to God's promise being fulfilled.

Joseph may have hoped to be delivered from the pit. Perhaps his brothers would be moved with compassion and after this mean trick, they would pull him out and send him home. Who would have believed it? Instead of rescuing Joseph, they sell him into slavery! One pit is traded for another, and the second one is even further from home.

Have you ever felt that those people, who should be the closest to you and the most supportive, have becme the enemies of your dream. David said it this way in Psalm 41:9

Even my close friend, whom I trusted,
he who shared my bread,
has lifted up his heel against me.

If that's where you are this morning, and you have a promise from the Lord, then cling to that promise with all of your heart. God has put you on the road to a place of service in Him. He is going to fulfill all His promises to you.

Joseph went from the pit to slavery to prison before God raised him up and fulfilled the awesome dream that was given to Joseph. When his dream was finally fulfilled, there could be no doubt that God had brought it to pass. Be encouraged today. God is working in your life bringing to pass His awesome plan for you.