While reading the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis recently, I came to the part where Joseph had been unjustly thrown into prison for a crime he hadn’t committed. Despite his grievous circumstances, the Lord blessed him, and he found favor in the eyes of the prison guard, allowing him special privileges.

While Joseph was serving his time, Pharaoh’s chief baker and cup-bearer were imprisoned. Both had disturbing dreams which Joseph, with God’s help, was able to interpret. The cup-bearer would be restored to his duties and the baker killed.

What struck me most about this segment in the story, wasn’t that Joseph interpreted the dreams or that they came true, but that, once released from prison, the chief cup-bearer forgot Joseph’s kindness and his request for the cup-bearer to make mention of him to Pharaoh. Not until two years passed and Pharaoh had his own dreams, did the cup-bearer remember the kindness Joseph had shown him.

How often are we forgetful of what the Lord has done for us? When troubles come, we fall on our knees and pour out our requests to Him, and when He answers, we give thanks. But when our situations improve and life is good, so often we–like the cup-bearer–go about our lives giving little thought to God or His blessings of the past and that it is only by His grace that we live and breathe.

I have to wonder with this coronavirus, Is God trying to get our attention? Have we as a nation–a world–become so self-sufficient and calloused toward God that we’ve ignored His gentle reminders that He is Lord? Has it come to a worldwide catastrophe to gain our attention?

In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet Ezekiel prophecies about approaching captivity and doom for God’s people because they have fallen away from Him (forgotten and ignored Him). Time and again, Ezekiel states these destructive circumstances are coming for one reason, “that they may know that I (God) is the Lord.”

In the end, Ezekiel proclaims the Lord will restore His people for the same end and purpose–“that they may know that I am the Lord.” Could it be this devastating period in our lives is a wake up call from God? A call to humility and renewed reverence for God?

If nothing else good comes of the hardships we are facing, I pray that we will come to the realization that God is in control–not us–and we need to humbly honor and revere Him.

He never promised to shield us from pain or hardship. Like Joseph, and the Israelites, we may have to endure suffering for a time. But we have the assurance that if we humble ourselves and call on the name of the Lord, He will hear us. And if we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will spend eternity with Him.

“Never will I leave you: Never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Cynthia Roemer’s PRAIRIE SKY SERIES: Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie Inspirational Historical Romance

UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
UNDER MOONLIT SKIES ~ BOOK THREE

~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.