When God Gives You A Dream

Genesis 37:1-11

1. Introduction

Good morning, church!

How many of you had big dreams and ambitions when you were a kid? Come on, raise your hand I know I did.

Growing up, I absolutely loved basketball. It was my thing. I’d grab my friends, head to the park, and play game after game. If I wasn’t at the park, I was out in the driveway, shooting hoops until it got dark—or until my mom called me in for dinner. I just couldn’t get enough.

I remember in fourth grade, I had this dream—this ambition—to play in the NBA. I was convinced it was my destiny. I was going to be the next Michael Jordan… or at least that’s what I thought.

But then reality started to set in. I realized I wasn’t going to grow past six feet tall. Let’s just say my NBA career ended before it even started. My dreams and hopes were crushed. I had to let go of that dream and start searching for something new.

And here’s where it gets good—because God, in His grace, grabbed ahold of my heart. He showed me that His plans and purposes for my life were so much bigger than anything I could have dreamed for myself.

Never in a million years would I have imagined that God would bring me here, to this place, with these people, doing what I love most. But I’ll tell you—there’s no greater joy in my life than pastoring this church alongside Pastor Matt. God’s dreams are always better than ours—even when they don’t look anything like what we expected.

Let’s get honest for a moment. Have you ever felt like God gave you a dream—maybe a promise, a vision for your family, a calling on your life—but what you’re living right now looks nothing like what you dreamed? Maybe you’re in a season of waiting, or maybe it feels like everyone around you is moving forward while you’re stuck. If that’s you, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re in good company.

So if you’ve ever had to let go of a dream, if you’ve ever had your hopes crushed, don’t lose heart. God’s not done with you yet. His purpose for your life is greater than you can imagine. Trust Him with your dreams.

Let me just say how excited I am as we kick off a brand-new series on the life of Joseph! Now, maybe you grew up in church and you remember Joseph as the guy with the technicolor coat. Or maybe you’ve spent some time studying his life on your own. Or maybe, just maybe, this is your very first time hearing about Joseph and his story.

Wherever you’re starting from, here’s what I know: Joseph’s life is one of the most powerful stories in all of Scripture. Through Joseph, we’re going to see the sovereignty of God on full display. We’re going to see a God who has the power to take every detail—every twist, every setback, every betrayal—and weave it into His perfect plan. Where people might mean something for evil, our God can turn it around for good.

Today, we’re starting at the beginning—Genesis 37. Joseph is a young man with a God-given dream. But let’s be honest, his journey is anything but easy. His story is packed with family drama, jealousy, misunderstanding, and some long, hard seasons of waiting. Sound familiar to anybody?

But here’s the good news: through it all, we see a God who is faithful. A God who always keeps His promises, even when the path is hard and the timing is slow.

So as we dive in today, let’s open our hearts to what God wants to say about dreams, about delays, and about His divine faithfulness. Because if God could work in Joseph’s life, I promise you—He can work in yours too.

If you have your bibles open them up to Genesis 37 and let’s pray…

This is what it says in Genesis 37 Verse 1

2. Genesis 37:1-3

English Standard Version Chapter 37

Joseph’s Dreams

37 Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan.

2 These are the generations of Jacob.

Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.

Let’s talk about Canaan for a moment. Canaan wasn’t just any land—it was the land God promised to Abraham. We see early in the book of Genesis, at chapter 12, God calls Abram out of Ur, out of everything familiar, and says, “I’m taking you somewhere new. I’m going to bless you. Through you, the whole world will be blessed. Look up at the stars, Abram. That’s how many descendants you’ll have.”

That’s a big promise! But let me ask you—do you think it happened the next year? Maybe in two years? How about ten? Not even close. God’s promise didn’t come with Amazon Prime shipping! It wasn’t instant. In fact, from Abraham to Joseph, it was over 200 years before that promise really started to take shape.

That’s a long time, right? And let’s be honest—we don’t like waiting. We live in a world of instant downloads, same-day delivery, and microwave meals. We want things now. But God’s promises don’t always work on our schedule. His timing is different. His ways are higher.

So now, picture this: Joseph is in the land of Canaan with his father and his brothers. The passage calls it “the land of his father’s sojourning.” Now, let’s be honest—sojourning? That’s not a word you’re dropping in your group text, right? It sounds kind of old school, kind of Bible-y.

But when you really get it, it’s powerful. To sojourn means you’re living somewhere temporarily. It’s not your forever home. You’re not putting down roots. You’re just passing through.

That’s exactly what Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did. They lived in places that weren’t theirs. They didn’t have the deed to the land. They didn’t have all the rights or the privileges. They weren’t citizens—they were just guests. But God told them, “Settle here anyway. I’ve got a promise for you. This land will be yours. Your descendants will inherit it.” So what did they do? They walked by faith. They stepped into the unknown, trusting God even when they couldn’t see the finish line.

And if we’re honest, sometimes that’s exactly what our faith walk feels like. Maybe you’re in a job that’s not your dream job. Maybe you’re in a season of life that feels temporary—raising kids, building a marriage, grinding through school. You’re not stuck, but you’re not settled either. You’re sojourning. You’re trusting God in the in-between.

Here’s the good news: God does some of His best work in the middle of the journey.

Sojourning might feel uncertain—like you’re standing on shaky ground, not sure where you’re going or how long you’ll be there. Maybe you feel like you’re living out of boxes, or you’re in a season that just doesn’t feel settled. It’s uncomfortable. It’s unpredictable. It’s not where you want to stay.

But don’t miss this: it’s actually sacred ground. Why? Because it’s in the uncertain places that God does some of His deepest work in us. When you’re sojourning—when you’re in the in-between—you have to trust God in ways you never would if everything was easy and familiar. You pray differently. You listen more carefully. You depend on Him, not on your own comfort or control.

Think about it: God met Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph in their sojourning. He shaped their character, built their faith, and showed them His faithfulness right there in the middle of uncertainty.

So if you’re in a season where you feel like you’re just passing through, don’t rush it. Don’t wish it away. God is with you. He’s working in you. The ground might feel shaky, but it’s holy—because God is right there, making you ready for what’s next.

You may not be where you want to be yet, but you are exactly where God wants you for now. So keep moving. Keep trusting. You’re just passing through… and the best part? He’s leading the way.

Here is the first point from this passage I want to point out.

2. Joseph and his family

Let’s set the scene. Joseph is 17 years old—just a teenager, still figuring out life, working out in the fields with his brothers. Now, the Bible gets specific here: Joseph is working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. Now, I know what some of you are thinking—wait, how many wives are we talking about? And who are all these people?

Don’t worry, we’re not going to get lost in the family tree today. Next week, we’ll dive into the deep end of Joseph’s family dysfunction—trust me, you don’t want to miss that. But for now, here’s what you need to know: Bilhah and Zilpah weren’t Jacob’s first wives. They were actually the servants of Rachel and Leah, who were sisters. And if you think your family has drama, just wait until you hear this story.

Here’s the quick version: Jacob fell in love with Rachel. She was the one. He wanted to marry her, so he made a deal with her dad, Laban—work for me seven years, and you can marry Rachel. So Jacob puts in the time, does the work, and on the wedding night, Laban pulls the old switcheroo. Instead of Rachel, Jacob wakes up next to her sister, Leah. Talk about awkward!

But Jacob’s not done. He works another seven years, finally marries Rachel, the love of his life. And along the way, both Rachel and Leah give their servants—Bilhah and Zilpah—to Jacob as wives, and they have kids too. So when you hear about Joseph working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, that’s who we’re talking about—Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

Now, the Bible says Joseph brought a bad report about his brothers to their father. We don’t know exactly what they did, but let’s be honest—if the Bible calls it “bad,” it probably wasn’t just skipping chores. More than likely, it was something wicked or evil.

And as if the family drama wasn’t enough, Jacob does what you should never do as a parent—he plays favorites. Joseph is his favorite son. Why? Because Joseph was the firstborn of Rachel, the wife Jacob truly loved, the one he worked fourteen years for, the one he always wanted. Rachel was the first love, the original choice, and Joseph was her firstborn. That’s why Joseph wore the coat. That’s why he was the favorite.

So if you’re thinking your family is a little bit dysfunctional, just remember—God can work through any family, even one as messy as Joseph’s. And that gives hope for all of us.

Absolutely! Here’s your insight, reimagined in the clear, relatable, and insightful style of Craig Groeschel:

There’s something in verse 3 I don’t want you to miss—it gives us a little window into what kind of guy Joseph really was. The verse says, “Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he was the son of his old age.”

Now, I’ll be honest. For years, I just assumed this meant Jacob was old—really old—when Joseph was born. And he was! Jacob was pushing 90. Can you imagine? All your other kids are grown, they can feed themselves, get dressed, maybe even help around the house—and then at 90 years old, you’re starting all over again with a newborn. That’s a dramatic life change! Some of you are tired just thinking about it.

But here’s what’s interesting: That phrase, “son of his old age,” was actually a saying in Hebrew culture. It didn’t just mean Joseph was born when Jacob was old. It was a compliment. When they said someone was the “son of old age,” it was like saying, “That kid has an old head on young shoulders.” In other words, Joseph was wise beyond his years. He wasn’t just a dreamer—he was mature, thoughtful, and carried himself with a wisdom that was rare for someone so young.

So when you read that verse, don’t just picture a little kid with a fancy coat—picture a young man who, even as a teenager, had a depth and a wisdom that set him apart. That’s part of what made Joseph so special.

Now let’s talk about this famous coat. Joseph’s coat wasn’t just colorful—it was a walking billboard that screamed, “I’m Dad’s favorite!” Every time Joseph put on that ornate, beautiful robe, his brothers got a front-row seat to the fact that he was special. He wasn’t just another kid in the family—he was set apart.

And here’s what’s wild: In that culture, a coat like this wasn’t just about fashion. It meant you were management, not labor. While his brothers were out in the fields sweating and working hard, Joseph’s coat said, “I’m different. I’m above the grind. I’m the chosen one.”

Can you imagine the tension? Every morning at breakfast, there’s Joseph—rocking that coat, sipping his coffee, and his brothers are just trying not to lose it. Joseph was special. He was the favorite child, and everyone knew it.

Let’s keep reading and see what happens next in this story.

3. Genesis 37:4-11

English Standard Version Chapter 37

5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

4. Dreams

Ancient Dream Interpretation: More Than Just a Nighttime Movie

Let’s be honest—most of us have had a weird dream or two. Maybe you’re running from a giant chicken, or you show up to work in your pajamas. But in the ancient world, dreams weren’t just random brain noise. They were messages, and people believed they could change the course of history.

Two Kinds of Dreams: Messages and Mysteries

Here’s what you need to know: In the ancient world, not all dreams were created equal. There were two main types:

Message Dreams: These are the “no-nonsense, straight-from-the-source” dreams. The gods—or God—show up and say, “Here’s what you need to do.” No interpretation needed. It’s like getting a text message from heaven.

Symbolic Dreams: These are the “mystery movies” of the dream world. Full of symbols, riddles, and wordplay. You wake up thinking, “What did that mean?”

I want to pause for a second and make sure we don’t get lost in the weeds here. It’s easy to read this passage and think, “Okay, maybe I should start interpreting my dreams. Maybe God’s trying to tell me something through that dream about missing my final exam or showing up to work in my pajamas!” Listen, in this story, God spoke to Joseph through dreams. That’s how He chose to communicate in that moment.

Now, I’m not saying God can’t speak to you through a dream. He’s God—He can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants. But here’s what I need you to hear: God has already given you the clearest, most reliable way to hear His voice. It’s called the Bible.

God gave us His Word so we could know Him, hear His heart, and receive His wisdom every single day. Nothing—absolutely nothing—can replace spending time in His Word. If you want to know what God is saying, open your Bible. Let Him speak to you through His living, powerful, unchanging Word. That’s where you find His love, His promises, and His purpose for your life.

So don’t get distracted chasing after signs or trying to decode every dream. Anchor your life in Scripture. God’s already speaking—are you listening?

This chapter isn’t a how-to guide for decoding your wildest dreams. No, it’s so much bigger than that. It’s about the early signs of God’s purpose for Joseph—and how people react when God’s plan starts to unfold.

Think about it: This passage introduces us to Joseph’s background, his complicated family dynamics, and those God-given dreams that hint at a future where Joseph is going to rise up and lead. But notice what happens next. The focus isn’t on the technical process of figuring out what the dreams mean. The focus is on the emotional explosion those dreams trigger in the people around him.

So what’s the real story here? Genesis 37:1-11 is about how God reveals His purpose—and how people respond to it. Some respond with jealousy and resistance. Others with quiet reflection. The chapter isn’t about interpreting dreams; it’s about human reactions to divine revelation.

Here’s the question for you: When God’s purpose starts to show up in your life or in the lives of people around you, how do you respond? Do you get jealous? Defensive? Or do you pause, reflect, and trust that God’s plan is bigger than you can see right now?

Remember, it’s not about the dream—it’s about how you respond to what God is revealing.

Today I want to give you 3 key points that we can learn from this passage. First point is…

1. God will finish what He starts

In Joseph’s life, we see that promise God started with Abraham coming closer to completion, but it’s still a process.

And maybe that’s where you are today. Maybe you’re waiting. Maybe you’re wondering if God’s ever going to come through. Can I encourage you? If God made you a promise, He’s faithful. It may take longer than you expect, but what He starts, He always finishes. Trust His timing, even when you don’t understand it.

Think about that. God made a promise to Abraham, but Abraham never fully saw it come to pass. Isaac didn’t see it all. Jacob didn’t see it all. But God’s promise was still unfolding, moving forward through each generation until it landed on Joseph.

Here’s the truth: God’s timeline is not your timeline. Just because you haven’t seen the promise yet doesn’t mean God forgot. His faithfulness isn’t limited by your calendar. What He says, He will do. If God gave you a word, even if it hasn’t happened yet, it doesn’t mean He’s forgotten. His timing is perfect, even when it feels painfully slow.

Maybe you’re waiting on something right now—a healing, a breakthrough, a prodigal child to come home. Can I encourage you? If it’s not God’s time, you can’t force it. When it is God’s time, you can’t stop it. Hold on to the promise. God always keeps His word.

Joseph’s dreams weren’t just wishful thinking—they were God’s promises. But the path from dream to destiny wasn’t easy. We are going to see in the coming weeks that Joseph faced rejection, betrayal, slavery, and prison. But through every setback, God was working behind the scenes.

Hear this, this morning church… If God gave you a dream, He’s got the power to finish what He started.

Spoiler Alert:

Think about Joseph for a moment. Here’s this young guy, full of big dreams—literally! He shares his God-given visions with his brothers, and what happens? They don’t throw him a party—they throw him in a pit. He’s sold into slavery, falsely accused, and ends up in prison. Talk about a rough road!

But don’t miss this—God had a plan the whole time. Even when Joseph couldn’t see it, even when it looked like the dream was dead and buried, God was working behind the scenes. And in the end, Joseph didn’t just survive—he thrived. He rose to power in Egypt and became the very person God used to save his family and an entire nation from starvation.

Here’s what that means for you: When God gives you a dream, He’s not just handing you a wish—He’s giving you a promise. And the same God who gave you the dream is the God who has the power to make it a reality. Yes, there will be challenges.But God’s plan is bigger than your problems.

So don’t give up when it gets tough. Don’t let go of the dream just because the journey gets hard. If God gave you the dream, He’s faithful to finish what He started. Your story isn’t over. God’s not done. And the best is yet to come!

It might not happen overnight. The dream may take time. You might go through some pits and prisons before you see the palace. But God’s plan never fails.

In Philippians 1:6 Paul says, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Church, if God started it, He’s going to finish it. He’s not a halfway God. He’s a promise-keeper, not a promise-breaker. You might not see the finish line yet, but God’s already mapped out your victory.

Stay faithful in the waiting. Don’t quit in the pit. Don’t give up when it’s hard.

If you’re not dead, God’s not done.

God is still working. He’s still writing your story.

Transition:

The second point we see is in the lives of Joseph’s brothers.

2. Jealousy blocks your blessing

They didn’t just want what Joseph had—they wanted to ruin him. There’s a huge difference between coveting and envy, and C. Plantinga nails it: To covet is to want what someone else has so badly you’re tempted to take it. But envy? Envy is darker. Envy doesn’t just want what you have—envy wants you to lose it. Envy wants to empty your hands, not fill its own.

That’s what Joseph’s brothers felt. They didn’t just want Joseph’s coat, or his dreams, or his favor with their father. They wanted Joseph out of the picture. They resented not just his blessing, but Joseph himself.

And here’s the thing—envy isn’t just some ancient sin. It’s alive and well today. Our culture doesn’t just tolerate envy; it celebrates it. Just look at advertising. We’re told it’s not just good to have something—it’s good to be envied. “If you can make someone else jealous, you’ve really made it!” That’s the message. But here’s the danger: When we convince ourselves that someone else is trying to make us envious, we start to justify our own resentment. We play the victim. “They deserve my spite. They had it coming.”

That’s exactly what Joseph’s brothers did. They would’ve told you Joseph deserved what he got. He earned their hatred. But let’s be honest—maybe we wouldn’t go as far as Joseph’s brothers, but envy can still poison our hearts. It can wreck relationships, destroy joy, and block us from receiving what God wants to give us.

So, church, let’s call envy what it is—a deadly sin. Don’t let it take root in your heart. Don’t let our culture convince you that it’s good to be envied, or that you’re a victim if someone else is blessed. Celebrate what God is doing in others. Trust that He has more than enough for you. Because when you root for others, you open your heart for God to move in your life, too.

Let’s be people who choose gratitude over envy, celebration over resentment, and faith over fear. Because God’s blessing isn’t limited—and His love for you is never in short supply.

Joseph’s brothers couldn’t celebrate his dream. Why? Because they were too busy comparing, competing, and feeling left out. They let jealousy and offense take root in their hearts, and it blinded them to what God was doing right in front of them.

Here’s the danger for us: When you’re offended or jealous, you miss what God wants to do in your life. If you’re always looking at what someone else has, you’ll miss what God is trying to give you. If you’re living in offense, you can’t receive the blessing God has for you.

Let me tell you a story that might hit a little close to home. There was this young guy who spent hours—literally hours—staring over his fence at his neighbor’s yard. That grass was green. I mean, it looked like it was straight out of a magazine. He’d look at his own patchy, brown lawn and think, “Man, if only I had what he has. If only my yard looked like that.”

Day after day, he found himself wishing, comparing, even complaining. He was so busy looking at what someone else had, he didn’t even notice what was right under his feet.

But one day, something changed. Instead of staring over the fence, he picked up a rake. He started pulling weeds, watering, planting, and caring for his own yard. It didn’t happen overnight, but little by little, his grass grew thick and green. Before long, people were walking by and saying, “Wow, I wish my lawn looked like that!”

Here’s the truth: When you stop looking at what everyone else has and start nurturing what God has given you, you’ll be amazed at what can grow in your own life. You don’t have to live in envy or comparison. God has planted you right where you are for a reason. If you’ll water your own grass, if you’ll invest in your own calling, your own family, your own gifts—God can turn your patchy lawn into a garden of blessing.

Church, don’t waste your life wishing for someone else’s story. Bloom where you’re planted. Because when you focus on what God has given you, you’ll discover He’s already given you more than enough to thrive.

Proverbs 14:30. says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”

That’s not just good advice—that’s God’s truth for your life.

Here’s what I know: When you focus on what God has given you, when you choose gratitude over comparison, you find peace. You find life. You flourish right where you are. But the moment you let envy take root, it starts eating you alive from the inside out. Envy doesn’t just make you unhappy—it drains your joy, poisons your relationships, and leaves you feeling empty no matter how much you have.

Church, you can’t live a life of peace if you’re always wishing for someone else’s blessings. God has given you everything you need to thrive. So stop looking over the fence. Start thanking God for what’s in your own yard. Because when your heart is at peace, your life will overflow with God’s goodness.

Don’t let envy rot your bones—let gratitude give you life!

Let me say it like this: You can’t run your race if you’re watching someone else’s lane. God has a unique purpose for you. Free your heart from jealousy. Celebrate others. Stay focused on what God is calling you to do.

Is there someone you need to forgive today? Is there a comparison you need to lay down? Release it to God, so you can fully receive what He has for you.

The third and final point today is

3. Trust God's Process Even When You Don't Understand the Plan

Let’s talk about Joseph’s second dream. He shares it, and his brothers are furious. Even his father Jacob doesn’t quite like what he hears — he actually rebukes Joseph. But then Scripture says something interesting: ‘Jacob kept the matter in mind.’ Why? Because Jacob had history with God. He remembered what it was like when God spoke to him in powerful, unexpected ways. He remembered the ladder reaching into heaven, he remembered wrestling with God all night long. Jacob understood that sometimes God speaks in a way that doesn’t make total sense in the moment. So instead of brushing Joseph off completely, instead of letting pride or confusion blind him, Jacob paused. He held it close. He didn’t understand it all, but he didn’t ignore it either. He leaned in with curiosity. He wondered, ‘Could this be God at work?’ And here's what I love about that—Jacob shows us something powerful: just because you don’t understand what God is doing doesn’t mean He isn’t doing something. Maybe God’s stirring something in your child, in your spouse, in your team, or even deep inside you. You can’t see the big picture yet, but you sense it’s significant. Don’t dismiss it. Don’t rush past it. Keep it in mind. Pray over it. Watch for what God might be unfolding. Because sometimes the dream looks small, strange, or even confusing today — but it might become the miracle you are praying for tomorrow. Church, let’s be the kind of people who treasure what God is doing, even before it all makes sense. God’s not finished. He’s still working in you, around you, and through you. And sometimes, the people closest to you won’t get the vision God has placed in your heart — and that’s okay. Their confusion doesn’t cancel your calling. There will be seasons when you feel like you're walking alone… holding onto a dream no one else can see. Don’t let that discourage you. You don’t need everyone’s understanding. You don’t need everyone’s approval. You just need God’s direction. Trust His process, even if others can’t see it yet. Let me give you a picture: Imagine a little kid walking through the grocery store dressed head to toe in a superhero costume. Cape, mask, boots — the whole deal. People smile and chuckle. The parents roll their eyes and say, ‘It’s a phase.’ But that kid? They don’t care. They’re living it. They believe they’re a hero, and they’re bold about it. And I wonder — when did we lose that boldness? When did we trade courage for comfort? When did we start caring more about fitting in than being faithful to who God created us to be? God didn’t call you to blend in. He didn’t design you to hide your gifts just to keep someone else comfortable. He placed a calling on your life — unique, significant, and intentional. So here’s the challenge: Stop living for the approval of people who didn’t create you. Start living for the God who did. Take off the mask of perfection and put on the courage of authenticity. Be who God called you to be, even if it looks different. Even if others don’t get it. Because when you live boldly for God, you give others permission to do the same. So go ahead — wear your cape. The world needs more real heroes of faith. Just like Jacob ‘kept the matter in mind,’ Jesus’ mother Mary models the same heart in the Gospel of Luke. At just twelve years old, Jesus stays behind in the temple while Mary and Joseph head home after Passover. They travel an entire day before realizing He’s not with them. Total panic. Can you imagine? ‘Where is Jesus?! Has anyone seen Him?’ For three days, they search in fear and confusion. Eventually, they find Jesus calmly sitting with the teachers in the temple, asking questions and amazing everyone. Mary, still frazzled, says, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? We’ve been searching everywhere!’ And Jesus replies with something profound: ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ He wasn’t lost. He was right where God wanted Him to be. But even Mary and Joseph didn’t fully grasp what God was doing through Him yet. And just like Jacob, Mary chooses to hold on to what she didn’t understand. Scripture says she ‘treasured all these things in her heart.’ So maybe right now, you’re in a season of questions. Maybe you’re watching a loved one walk a path you don’t understand. Maybe you're living a story that doesn’t make sense yet. Hold on. Trust that God is still working. You don’t have to have all the answers — just a heart that trusts the One who does. Because even when it looks unclear right now, God is writing a story far greater than what you can see. So treasure the moments, hold the dreams close, and keep your eyes open for what God is about to do. He’s not finished with you. He’s not finished with your family. And He’s certainly not finished writing your story.

Conclusion & Application

Joseph’s story isn’t just about surviving the pit or making it through the prison. It’s about dreaming big, forgiving freely, and trusting God deeply—no matter what.

So let me get personal for a moment and ask you:

What promise are you still waiting on?

Is there jealousy or offense you need to let go of?

Are you holding onto a God-given dream, even when nobody else understands it?

Here’s the good news: God is faithful—not just in your life, but across generations. Even when you can’t see it, He’s working behind the scenes. He’s weaving your story together for His glory and your good.

So what do you do? Stay humble. Stay faithful. Keep believing. Keep trusting. Because our God always keeps His promises—even when the process doesn’t look like the plan.

Don’t let the pit steal your praise. Don’t let the prison steal your purpose. If you’re not dead, God’s not done. Hold on to the dream, forgive those who hurt you, and trust God’s process—because the best is yet to come!

Prayer

Let’s pray together:

God, thank You that Your promises are true. Heal our hearts from jealousy and offense. Strengthen us in the waiting. Help us trust You with every dream You’ve given us. Even when we don’t see it, we believe You are working. We choose to trust You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Remember: When God gives you a dream, trust Him to bring it to life—in His time, for His glory, and for your good. If it’s not good yet, God’s not done yet.