Trusting God During Trials (Genesis 40:8)
They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”
—Genesis 40:8
What I love about Genesis 40:8 is that Joseph is in prison, yet he has been entrusted with significant responsibility because of his integrity. At this point, he is specifically caring for the cupbearer and the baker who served the king of Egypt. Each of them has a dream that leaves them distressed, and they say, “We wish someone could interpret them.” Joseph does not respond by saying, “I can do this.” Instead, he says, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” Then he adds, “Please tell them to me.”
From the very beginning, Joseph points the cupbearer and the baker to God, the one who interprets dreams. He will help with the interpretation, but he does so while trusting in and relying on God.
That may seem simple, but consider the situation Joseph is in. Do you not think he was at least tempted to be angry with God, or bitter toward him? Look at where purity and integrity have brought him. When he fled from Potiphar’s wife and resisted temptation, he ended up in prison. Before that, his brothers had sold him into slavery.
Genesis 40:8 reveals trust in God when circumstances feel hopeless.
This has been a long journey for Joseph, and I can imagine him wrestling with his faith—asking, “God, where are you in the middle of all this?” Yet the moment these men say, “We have had dreams,” Joseph immediately points them to God. Even in prison, he trusts God. That is the kind of faith I want to have in the midst of trials—a faith that trusts God even behind bars.
When I read Genesis 40:8, there are many applications, but my thoughts especially turn to our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world who are imprisoned for their faith. I think of believers who have proclaimed Christ and, as a result, are now in prison. Right now—at this very moment—there are brothers and sisters in Christ who have been separated from their families, held in dungeon-like conditions, uncertain if or when they will be released.
Many have little to no contact with the outside world. I am thinking of people I know personally—names, faces—who are living in these circumstances. I want to lead us to pray for them, that God would help them grow in trust during their trials.
This is something Scripture calls us to do. Let us pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters right now.
Genesis 40:8 reminds us to pray for persecuted Christians.
God, we trust in you. We trust that you are working all things together for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose. We pray right now for our brothers and sisters who are imprisoned because of their faith. Lord, we pray for those who have boldly shared the gospel and now find themselves in captivity—experiencing physical darkness, physical pain, confinement, and isolation.
They are separated from family and friends. We pray for their loved ones and for their church families. God, strengthen them. Do not let them shrink back from trusting in you or proclaiming your name, even as the cost feels heavier now—as parents, spouses, and children endure the pain of separation because of the gospel.
God, we pray for every brother and sister in prison. Help them to trust in you. I think of specific people even now. In different places around the world where they are imprisoned, we ask that you would be with them and that you would providentially work, just as you did in Genesis 40 and in Joseph’s life. Work these circumstances for their good and for your glory.
Sustain their faith. Give them deep satisfaction and joy in you—joy that only you can provide. You see them. You know exactly where they are. Please help them in every way they need. Help them to look to you and to trust in you. We pray that you would glorify yourself through them, even in their chains.
