Momentum For Monday, November 29th 2021

“…he forgot all about him.” (Genesis 40:23)

The reason Joseph landed in prison was due to wrongful accusation of which he couldn’t prove his innocence in (if you’re not too familiar on Joseph’s life, carve out some time to do so because it’s certainly worth it). He had worked faithfully and diligently for Potiphar, but was thrown into prison. This was on the heels of a betrayal from his own family. Yet, in this chapter Joseph is still helping a fellow prisoner.

You have to love Joseph’s endurance. Even his desire to keep doing good when nothing but bad keeps coming his way. Two people have dreams that needed interpreted. Joseph, having that capability of interpretation, lends his services. He could have just kept to himself, especially when nothing had gone well for him up to this point and he lands in prison, Joseph keeps doing good and helps others.

 The only thing Joseph asked in return, was for the cup-bearer to remember him when we was set free and things started to go well for him. That doesn’t seem like a lot to ask, does it? Still, as simple as remembering can be, the cup-bearer forgets all about him for some time. It eventually worked out for Joseph, but it still prolonged his time locked up.

(Quick side note:  I find it interesting that Joseph’s story has a theme of dreams. His story basically begins with his own dreams, but bad seems to ransack him for years postponing fulfillment. In the midst of prison, when his own dreams still have yet to come true, he still finds it in himself to interpret the dreams of others when they needed help. Okay, let’s continue.)

It’s unfortunate, but when we do good things, people won’t always remember you for it. As humans, we tend to get wrapped up in our own affairs and concerns forgetting the very people that helped us in time of need. Time and self-centeredness have a way of giving us amnesia to the good that’s been done in and around our lives. However, as frustrating as that can be, we cannot cease to do what is right. We don’t do good things for others because we are good or the other party is worth it, but because HE is worth it. God is the One who keeps track of that stuff anyways. Wherever you find yourself this week, good or bad, if the opportunity presents itself, do some good for others.

“So if you know of an opportunity to do the right thing today, yet you refrain from doing it, you’re guilty of sin.”

(James 4:17)