Joseph was done wrong.

First he was sold into slavery, then imprisoned by a false accusation. While confined in the Egyptian prison, Joseph interpreted the dreams of two officials who were being punished by Pharaoh. When one of them got word that he was to be restored to his former post, Joseph asked for a favorable mention; but for two long years, he heard nothing. Joseph probably felt like the butler had completely forgotten him…and as-a-matter-of-fact, he had:

“Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” – Genesis 40:23 NKJV

Then one day, Pharaoh himself had a dream and the forgetful butler’s memory was jostled:

“Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I remember my faults this day…there was this Hebrew…”” – Genesis 40:9-12 NKJV

So even though time had passed, Joseph was remembered. Once he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream (foretelling a severe famine), many life-changing things were set into motion. He was released from prison, elevated to governor, and placed in charge of preparing for the famine (which eventually led to his family moving to Egypt). In the end, the timing had more to do with God’s plan than a forgetful friend.

Do you ever wonder about timing? Perhaps you feel someone “dropped the ball” on your behalf or the “in-between time” continues to drag on forever. God’s plan may not be visible yet, but it’s there nonetheless, and His timing is always, always…always perfect.