“Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh.” (Genesis 41:14, NLT)

What is the longest you’ve ever had to wait for something you wanted? We are a culture that doesn’t like to wait for anything. We have jet airplanes, microwave ovens, fast cars, high-speed internet, and so many other things designed to decrease or eliminate waiting. But God takes His time to prepare His servants. And those who would be strengthened spiritually must learn to wait on the LORD.

This was certainly true with Joseph. When he was seventeen, God gave him dreams to show him the things God prepared for him. But for the next thirteen years Joseph was a slave in Egypt. From the human perspective, it seemed that he had nothing but bad luck. All his efforts to improve his situation had proven futile. Joseph was stuck in Pharaoh’s dungeon, and there was nothing he could do about it. But God had other plans.

Now it was Joseph’s moment. God gave Pharaoh two disturbing dreams for which he had no interpretation. None of his wise men or magicians could help. Suddenly the cupbearer (butler) remembered Joseph and how he correctly interpreted his dream and the baker’s dream. Pharaoh immediately summoned Joseph. God took His time to prepare Joseph for his day in Pharaoh’s court. Now because Pharaoh was desperate to understand, and only Joseph understood, Joseph would be catapulted from prison to prime minister of Egypt! All of Joseph’s waiting was essential to achieve God’s grand purpose.

God is also working in our lives. We don’t see what He is up to. We don’t understand why He takes so long to grant our heart’s desire and to work out His glorious plan. But His timing is always perfect. And when the fulfillment finally comes, the pain of waiting is swallowed up by the joy of receiving.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12, ESV)

Can you think of a time when you patiently waited on God for something, and He blessed you beyond your expectations? Why not give Him thanks today?