2 Full Years
“The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream…” - Genesis 40:23-41:1
Over the last few days, we have looked at how Joseph successfully rejected to sleep with Potiphar’s wife. “Successful,” in this case, is relative to his obedience to God. However, Joseph was not successful when it came to his responsibilities. Potiphar’s wife used the cloak she grabbed off Joseph as he ran away as “evidence” he tried to force his way onto her,
Even though this was not true, Potiphar believed his wife and had Joseph put in prison. He was in prison for quite some time when two men had a dream for him to interpret. Joseph successfully told them what their dreams meant and told them when they took the dreams to Pharaoh to tell him of Joseph so that he could get Joseph out of prison.
But the man forgot about Joseph. And so, “When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream…” Once Pharaoh had this dream, the chief cupbearer, whose dream Joseph had helped interpret, remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about him…“two full years” later.
Think about it, Joseph had done everything right. He did not ask for the circumstances he was in. He did not ask to be Potiphar’s servant, but he did the job the best he could. He did not ask to be put in prison for a lie, but he still did his best and helped the two men by interpreting their dreams.
And yet, it was two full years later before he was able to get out of the prison. Maybe you feel like you are in “prison.” It might not be actual prison, but you are stuck in a situation that you just cannot get out of. And though you continue to pray and ask God to get you out, for whatever reason, He just isn’t answering your prayer.
Joseph did everything right, and it was still two full years. Wherever you are, there is a reason why you’re there. God is in control. We know He is never late, but He is also never early. He knows the perfect time for you. Joseph was rewarded once he got out, in a big way. Trust God’s timing. He’ll always come through, right on time!
Over the last few days, we have looked at how Joseph successfully rejected to sleep with Potiphar’s wife. “Successful,” in this case, is relative to his obedience to God. However, Joseph was not successful when it came to his responsibilities. Potiphar’s wife used the cloak she grabbed off Joseph as he ran away as “evidence” he tried to force his way onto her,
Even though this was not true, Potiphar believed his wife and had Joseph put in prison. He was in prison for quite some time when two men had a dream for him to interpret. Joseph successfully told them what their dreams meant and told them when they took the dreams to Pharaoh to tell him of Joseph so that he could get Joseph out of prison.
But the man forgot about Joseph. And so, “When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream…” Once Pharaoh had this dream, the chief cupbearer, whose dream Joseph had helped interpret, remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about him…“two full years” later.
Think about it, Joseph had done everything right. He did not ask for the circumstances he was in. He did not ask to be Potiphar’s servant, but he did the job the best he could. He did not ask to be put in prison for a lie, but he still did his best and helped the two men by interpreting their dreams.
And yet, it was two full years later before he was able to get out of the prison. Maybe you feel like you are in “prison.” It might not be actual prison, but you are stuck in a situation that you just cannot get out of. And though you continue to pray and ask God to get you out, for whatever reason, He just isn’t answering your prayer.
Joseph did everything right, and it was still two full years. Wherever you are, there is a reason why you’re there. God is in control. We know He is never late, but He is also never early. He knows the perfect time for you. Joseph was rewarded once he got out, in a big way. Trust God’s timing. He’ll always come through, right on time!
Free Email Devotional - Sign Up Now
Recent
Archive
2026
January
When Prayer Feels Like Bad ReceptionTeach Us to Pray AgainRelationship Over RequestsPulled Toward HeavenWhen God Says No, Slow, Grow, or GoPray Bigger PrayersPray Without Ceasing in Real LifeWhen Persistence Feels PointlessWhen Darkness Reacts to LightWorship as WarfareChains Fall in His PresenceNot Who I Used to BeWhen God Reveals the BattleNo Fear in the Presence of PowerSet Free to WorshipVictory Is NowWhat You Love, You ShareGod Has a Brag Book, and You’re in ItThe Moment You Missed and the Mercy That RemainsBetter Today Than YesterdayAvailability Over AbilityThe Search for SignificanceWhen God Sets Up the MomentExplain the Hope Within YouThe Gospel Starts Where People AreSalt Has to Leave the ShakerWhat Defines You Determines YouYou’re Richer Than You RealizeThe Quiet Sin No One ConfessesYou Can’t Serve Two MastersThe Token That Stopped Spending
February
A Prophetic EarLearning the Voice You Hear Every DayAdopted, Not ToleratedThe Same Spirit Lives in YouWhy Jesus Chose DependenceExisting Versus Truly LivingWhen God Interrupts Your RoutineConviction Calls You Up, Not OutHe Who Gets the Son Gets It AllLet the Word Get in YouThe Book You Never FinishWhen You Finally Taste What’s BetterGod Is Speaking Every Time You Open the BibleFreedom Comes from Knowing the TruthThe Holy Spirit Works with What You StoreYou Might Be the Only Bible They ReadThe Word You Read Today Might Be for Someone Else TomorrowA Love Letter, Not a Rule BookFaith That Moves Without ProofWhen Desperation Strips Away DignityTrusting God in the SmokeThe Miracle Was Not Just for YouWhen Familiarity Kills ExpectationThe Timing of God Is Never AccidentalA Savior Who Shows Up to Ordinary MomentsWhen the Wine Runs OutTake It to Jesus FirstDo Whatever He Tells You to Do
March
The Promise Of New LifeBreaking Free From The PastThe Power Of TransformationWalking In Your New IdentityThe Gift Of GraceLiving By FaithRenewed Mind, Renewed LifeThe Fruit Of New LifeGrowing Through TrialsThe Power Of God's WordWalking In LoveThe Joy Of SalvationLiving In FreedomEquipped For Good WorksResisting TemptationFighting Spiritual BattlesOvercoming FearDealing With DoubtPersevering Through HardshipStanding Against The EnemyFinding Strength In WeaknessSharing Your StoryMaking DisciplesServing OthersLiving With PurposeShowing Christ's LoveBeing Salt And LightPreparing For EternityCelebrating God's FaithfulnessCommitting To GrowthLooking Forward With Hope

No Comments