Why God Lets You Be Misunderstood, Misused, and Forgotten

Jan 29, 2026 • Pastor Robert R. McLaughlin

Genesis 40 – God’s Timing, Injustice, and Trust

This message teaches from Genesis 40, focusing on Joseph in prison with Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and chief baker. It emphasizes God’s timing, handling injustice, and the danger of depending on people instead of God.

1. God’s Sovereign Timing and Placement

Joseph is unjustly imprisoned and assigned to serve two high-ranking officials. This is not coincidence — it is divine timing. God is positioning Joseph for future promotion, even though it looks like demotion. What appears as delay is actually preparation.

2. Abuse of Authority and Injustice

Potiphar abuses his authority by making Joseph serve both officials instead of assigning separate slaves. This illustrates a key life principle: believers will be mistreated by those in authority. Spiritual growth requires learning to handle unjust treatment without bitterness, retaliation, or self-pity.

3. The “Potiphars of Life”

The message identifies “Potiphars” as people who misuse authority (bosses, leaders, spouses, government officials, etc.). Believers must:

· Respect authority

· Leave judgment to God

· Refuse to become bitter

· Trust God’s justice rather than taking matters into their own hands

4. Personal Sense of Destiny

Joseph’s confidence rests in God’s plan, not circumstances. A personal sense of destiny gives believers stability and prevents pettiness, revenge, and emotional reaction. No human being can stop what God has planned.

5. Joseph’s Spiritual Maturity

Joseph shows spiritual maturity by:

· Showing concern for others’ sorrow

· Giving credit to God for interpretations

· Maintaining humility, class, and good manners

· Applying doctrine instead of rejoicing over others’ suffering

6. Faithfulness Before Promotion

Because Joseph is faithful and competent even as a slave, God uses him to interpret dreams. Faithfulness in adversity is required before God advances a believer.

7. Joseph’s Failure: Depending on Man

Joseph makes a critical mistake by asking the cupbearer to remember him and help him get out of prison. This shows impatience and human viewpoint. By depending on man instead of waiting on God, Joseph delays his deliverance by two more years.

8. The Danger of Human Viewpoint

The message strongly warns:

· Trusting people instead of God brings delay

· God alone controls promotion and deliverance

· Depending on human power, influence, or ability takes believers out of God’s timing

9. Waiting on the Lord

True strength comes from waiting on God, not manipulating circumstances. Scripture emphasizes:

· Trusting God over man

· Waiting for God’s timing

· Recognizing that only God can remove believers from “prisons” He allows for growth

Central Theme:

God uses injustice, delay, and adversity to build spiritual maturity. Trusting people instead of God disrupts divine timing. True promotion comes only from the Lord.

MC42 619 Doc: Problems & problem solving, part 15. Joseph's failure from relying on man's timing. Gen 40:1 15.

Date: 02-18-1993 Why God Lets You Be Misunderstood, Misused, and Forgotten

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