“After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile.” – Genesis 41:1

In our high-speed, no wait, immediate gratification 21st Century American culture, we get frustrated if we have to wait for two weeks. Yet, after God helped Joseph interpret the dreams of two high Egyptian officials, giving him the opportunity to build and “work his network”, Joseph still had to wait two more years in an Egyptian prison for the next step in God’s plan to unfold. Two years!

Can you imagine having the faith and patience to wait two years? In prison? Joseph certainly thought that helping Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer would be his big break, but then…nothing. The man completely forgot Joseph existed. And Joseph had to wait for two years. Because it wasn’t yet the right time.

We doubt God, grow frustrated with Him, and question His love, presence, goodness, and even existence when forced to wait for the answers to our prayers. However, the Bible is consistently clear: God moves on His timetable, not ours. His patience is infinitely greater than ours, as is His wisdom and understanding. While we think in terms of hours and days, God thinks in years and centuries.

It’s helpful to recognize those places in the Bible where faithful waiting is demonstrated, because they help us to stay patient and faithful as we wait for God’s next step in unfolding the plan for our lives. God is present with you. God has a plan and it is good. Rather than doubting God because He doesn’t move on your timetable, learn to love and pursue God as He helps you wait to move on His!

“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” – Genesis 39:21

We might be inclined to become confused, frustrated, discouraged, and angry with God about being wrongly imprisoned. Joseph was imprisoned based on the false testimony of his master’s wife. However, Joseph’s time in prison was a key element of God’s unfolding plan to bless him personally, save the line of Messiah from starvation, save the nation of Egypt from starvation, and grow the family of Israel into a nation with whom He would one day covenant in the Wilderness. God’s plan of redemption for the entire world passed through that prison cell!

In the midst of an Egyptian prison, God was faithfully with Joseph, showing him steadfast love and blessing him. The Bible is very clear, that as followers of Christ, God won’t exempt us from hard times, injustice, and suffering. However, He will be with us through those hard times, faithfully loving and blessing us.

When we feel trapped in the prisons of life (literal or metaphorical), we shouldn’t merely focus on praying for release. We should learn to see and hear God’s voice in our ongoing trial. We must seek to grow in our awareness of His faithful presence, because He’s promised He is always with us. We should also be looking for the signs of what God is doing or will do with our time of suffering for His glory. God’s will may well be hard, but it’s also good, for He is good, kind, merciful, and faithful.

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” – Acts 20:24

Today we honor the life, work, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was born into a society of deep racism and injustice that didn’t align to God’s will, God’s Word, or God’s heart. What he saw didn’t reflect God’s Kingdom here on earth. Rather than accept this, he committed his life to changing it no matter the personal cost. Dr. King and those with him didn’t change the world through force of arms, but by the power and strength of the Holy Spirit as so many of God’s children came together in prayer and peaceful action.

While Dr. King is widely celebrated today, as followers of Jesus, we are wise to remember that many who loved Jesus and the Bible stood in strident and even violent opposition to civil rights. Many Christians were on the wrong side of sinful injustice and ungodly history. They stood there because of attachment to earthly structures and vile distortions of Scripture. We must acknowledge this shameful history so that we do not repeat it in our own day!

The Bible commands us to examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). Do our words, attitudes, assumptions, and actions truly reflect the Son of God and the Word of God? Are we working for a Kingdom-oriented society that reflects God’s heart for equality, brotherhood, justice, love, and mercy? Are there areas in which our thoughts remain so captive to patterns and strongholds of earthly sin that we’ve twisted Scripture to provide comfort for our sin rather than conviction?

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
– Matthew 12:18-21

This is Jesus, as prophesied by Isaiah and fulfilled by the perfect life and sacrificial death of our Savior! This is Who we are commanded to follow, imitate, and obey. Does this also describe His church? Does this describe His people? Does this describe you?

Note well, the character and concerns of Jesus. He proclaims (=pursues, enacts, values, treasures) justice in the power of the Holy Spirit. However, He does so without quarreling, shouting, snarling, fighting, or biting. He isn’t running wild in the streets. He isn’t hurtful, cruel, violent, or vicious in how He accomplishes His mission. Yes, one day He will return victoriously triumphant over all evil, yet even then, His sword is His Word.

Are we truly striving every day to live as Spirit-filled servants of God following our humble and suffering Savior?

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

Is this you? Are you laboring, heavily burdened, and mentally or physically exhausted? Come to Jesus. He will give you rest. He is the rest you need. Lean on Him, pray to Him, pour out your heart to Him, cry out to Him. He knows and understands. He loves and cares. Let His Spirit refresh you.

If you keep reading in Matthew 11, you’ll learn that rest in Christ doesn’t look like kicking back at the beach. As Christians, our rest comes in binding ourselves to Him and working alongside Him. Our rest is found in nurturing the Holy Spirit within us and working in His power rather than our own. Our rest comes from doing the work Christ assigns rather than all the other stuff we keep piling on our backs.

Our rest is found in accepting the commands and burdens of obedience to Christ and refusing to take on additional burdens that don’t belong to us. We absolutely must do, serve, and live as Christ commanded, but we don’t need to take on extra burdens of Christian culture, adhere to false and legalistic religiosity, or carry guilt or penance for past sins or mistakes which Christ already forgave.

If, like many, you’re finding yourself weary, crushed, and nearly broken, stop what you’re doing and draw near to Jesus in prayer and worship. Lay your burdens at His feet and yoke yourself to Him to labor together for His Kingdom.