God Works in the Waiting

Genesis 39:21–40:23 CSB

But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor with the prison warden. The warden put all the prisoners who were in the prison under Joseph’s authority, and he was responsible for everything that was done there. The warden did not bother with anything under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him, and the Lord made everything that he did successful. After this, the king of Egypt’s cupbearer and baker offended their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guards in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guards assigned Joseph to them as their personal attendant, and they were in custody for some time. The king of Egypt’s cupbearer and baker, who were confined in the prison, each had a dream. Both had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they looked distraught. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?” “We had dreams,” they said to him, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph: “In my dream there was a vine in front of me. On the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms came out and its clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” “This is its interpretation,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days. In just three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position. You will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand the way you used to when you were his cupbearer. But when all goes well for you, remember that I was with you. Please show kindness to me by mentioning me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this prison. For I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing that they should put me in the dungeon.” When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was positive, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream. Three baskets of white bread were on my head. In the top basket were all sorts of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” “This is its interpretation,” Joseph replied. “The three baskets are three days. In just three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from off you—and hang you on a tree. Then the birds will eat the flesh from your body.” On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he gave a feast for all his servants. He elevated the chief cupbearer and the chief baker among his servants. Pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer to his position as cupbearer, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But Pharaoh hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had explained to them. Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

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God Point: God is Working in the Waiting.

Supporting Content:

God remained with Joseph—even in prison. The same God who worked in the palace was still present in the dungeon. In fact, God made everything Joseph did succeed, granting him favor with the prison warden and with the very prisoners he would soon serve.

God’s providence didn’t stop when Joseph was thrown into the king’s prison. It was God who placed him there. And it was no accident that two of Pharaoh’s officials—the cupbearer and the baker—were assigned to Joseph’s care. He was their servant first, but in time, he would become their interpreter.

Then comes a heartbreaking line in the story: “They were in custody for some time.” That’s Scripture’s way of reminding us that waiting isn’t quick or easy. Joseph had been faithful, but even still, the opportunity to interpret their dreams did not come immediately. Most scholars believe Joseph was in his mid-twenties at this point—and he wouldn’t be released until age 30. That’s 12 long years as either a slave or a prisoner.

And yet, through all of that waiting, Joseph remained faithful—trusting that the dream God gave him would come to pass in God’s time.

Joseph’s life teaches us that the greatest tests of faith don’t only come in hardship or success, or even in temptation—but often in the long stretch of silence and mundanity. Would he stay faithful when it seemed like nothing was happening? Would he still believe that God was working?

The answer is yes. And through his story, we learn this truth: God is never inactive, even when we can’t see Him. He is working in us, around us, and through us—even in the waiting.

Supporting Scripture:

Supporting Quotes:

Grow Point: Wait on God.

Supporting Content:

The Difficulty of Waiting on God:

Waiting on God becomes difficult when it feels like He isn’t leading us anywhere. Like a sheep longing for greener pastures, we can begin to wonder if the Shepherd is even working. In stillness, we often feel stagnant. Yet waiting means sitting in His presence and learning to find joy there. The struggle comes when our hearts crave satisfaction in the “greener pastures” of this life. Waiting is hard because we often don’t trust God’s timing—or because our vision and purpose differ from His.

Waiting on God requires:

Patience: A humble willingness to wait on God’s plan instead of stubbornly pushing our own. A patient believer lives with expectant hope, trusting in God’s movement and will. Rather than forging their own path and asking God to follow, they learn to dwell in the shadow of Christ (Psalm 91:1). True patience means resting in Him, trusting the Good Shepherd to lead—not trying to lead Him.

Perseverance: is not passive waiting. Because of our confidence and faith in God, we actively live out our waiting through fervent prayer, regular fasting, and diligent study and meditation on His Word. In our daily lives, we obey His will and walk according to His Word. Waiting on God doesn’t mean doing nothing—it means being a faithful participant in His glorious plan. Even in difficulty or mundanity, we believe God is working in us and through us. So, we continue living out our faith, trusting His will and looking forward to Christ’s return.

The Results of Waiting on God:

Believers who wait on God experience true blessedness and deep joy. In waiting, we encounter God’s presence in a richer way and learn to turn our trust away from self and toward Him. We begin to reject the impatience that craves instant gratification and instead find lasting joy in resting in His presence. Our strength and courage are renewed because we know who surrounds us. We experience deeper love and favor, gaining wisdom and understanding as we rely on His counsel—knowing His plans never fail.

Waiting on God assures us of salvation, both now and for eternity. It also opens the door to His loving discipline and correction, which refine and mature us. In the waiting, we are made ready for His exaltation, prepared to fulfill His purpose for our lives.

Waiting teaches us to slow down so we don’t miss His daily mercies and grace. It helps us better appreciate Christ’s sacrifice, which secured our eternal life. You cannot truly know God unless you learn to wait on Him—because waiting is the only way to fully know Him. As you wait, He works—in you, through you, and for your eternal good.

How to Wait on God:

Slow Down & Seek Him

What it means: Stop rushing. Make space in your life—emotionally, mentally, and physically—to rest in God's presence.

Why it matters: We often miss God’s direction because we move too fast. Waiting begins with slowing down, enjoying the peace of His shadow.

Practically: Start your day with 5–10 minutes of bible reading, silence, and prayer. Sit in stillness and simply say, “God, I trust You. Lead me today.”

Quote: “when the waiting on God is seen as an unspeakable blessedness and one of the highest forms of fellowship with the Holy One, the adoration of Him in His glory will humble the soul into a holy stillness and make way for God to speak and reveal Himself.” - (Andrew Murray: Waiting on God - Waiting Quietly)

Pray with Patience & Expectancy

What it means: Prayer isn't just for requests—it’s for relationship. Keep bringing your needs and questions to God, but also wait with expectation.

Why it matters: This builds trust and reminds you that God is working, even when you don’t see it yet.

Practically: Keep a journal of prayers—write down what you’re asking God to do, and also what you sense He’s teaching you.

Persevere in God’s Word

What it means: When you're not sure what God is doing, stay grounded in what He’s already said.

Why it matters: God speaks through His Word. The more you listen, the more you'll know His heart.

Practically: Read one passage a day (start with Psalms or the Gospel of John). Ask: What does this show me about God? What do I need to trust?

Obey in the Ordinary

What it means: Waiting isn’t passive—it’s living today by God’s Word even if you don’t have all the answers for tomorrow.

Why it matters: Obedience in the small things builds trust in big things. God often moves through ordinary faithfulness.

Practically: Be faithful where you are. Love your family. Serve your church. Work with integrity. Repent quickly. Forgive always.

Surrender Self & Control

What it means: Let go of your timeline and your need to control outcomes. Surrender daily.

Why it matters: Fasting trains our hearts to hunger for God more than quick fixes or instant gratification.

Practically: Choose to fast (once a week or month) from food, media, or distractions. Use that time to pray and seek God’s will.

Look for God’s Daily Mercies

What it means: God is working even when we don’t feel it. Learn to notice His presence today.

Why it matters: Gratitude shifts your heart from frustration to faith. You begin to see God more clearly.

Practically: At the end of each day, write down 1–2 ways you saw God’s kindness, provision, or guidance.

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What it means: We’re not just waiting for answers—we’re waiting for the day we’ll be with Jesus forever.

Why it matters: Eternal hope gives you strength for today. Christ’s return puts everything else in perspective.

Practically: Talk about heaven with your family. Remind yourself daily: “This life isn’t all there is.”

Supporting Scripture:

Supporting Quotes:

Gauge Questions

For Believers:

Are you to Impatient & Busy For God?

In the silence, are you patiently waiting on God—or out of impatience, trying to make your own way?

Do you spend more time rushing ahead, trying to outwork/outpace God, or resting in God’s presence each day?

For Unbelievers:

Are you greater than God?

What if the purpose you’re searching for isn’t found in what you do, but in who you know?

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Initial thoughts:

God is Working in the Waiting, God remained with Joseph even in prison God works in the palace and in the dungeon. God made everything Joseph did successful, he gave him favor with the prison warden and with the fellow prisoners he attended to.

Just as God had placed joseph in the king’s prison, his divine providence did not stop there. Two of Pharaoh’s attendants were put under the care of Joseph in the prison, he was their caretaker, and soon he would be their interpreter.

What comes next is a heart breaking statement, “they were in custody for some time.” Although Joseph remained faithful, the dreams that these men would have did not come until considerable amount of time. At the point of the dreams Joseph was most likely in his mid 20’s. he would not be elevated out of the prison until he was 30. so for 12 years, Joseph was either a slave, or a prisoner….but even in this waiting Jospeh remained faithful to God, Faithful to trust that the dream God gave him would come to fruition in God’s timing.

The great test’s of Jospeh was in difficulty, in success, in temptation, and now in the mundanity & silence, would he remain faithful and wait on God?

Waiting on God requires Patience & Perseverance- In the mundane will we patiently wait on God, or in our frustration will we pioneer our own way?

Patience: is a humble willingness to wait on God’s plan rather than stubbornly making our own plans. The attitude of a patient believer is on of expectant hope & desire for God’s movement and will to be accomplished. Patient believers learn to dwell in the shadow of Christ (Ps 91:1), rather than pioneering their own way and putting God in their shadow. True Patience means resting in Christ, trusting the Good shepherd to lead us, not to follow where we aim to go.

Perseverance: is not a passive waiting, rather because of our confidence and faith in God, waiting is actively lived out in our spiritual life through fervent prayer, regular fasting, & diligent study/meditation upon His word. In our daily lives we live in obedience to his Will & Word. Waiting on God means we are still active participants in his glorious plan, but as we go through life we ask and trust that His will be done. No matter the difficulty or mundanity of life, we believe God is still working in us and through us, and we continue to live out the faith waiting for his movement and ultimately Christ’s return.

The Results of Waiting on God: that believers will experience a true blessedness or happiness. In our waiting we experience God’s presence in a much deeper way, we begin to turn our trust away from self and towards God. We learn to shun the desire for instant gratification rooted in impatience, and we begin to find true joy resting in his presence. We find a renewal of strength & courage to face any situation, because we know who surrounds us. We experience a deeper love & favor, we learn to comprehend and apply truth & wisdom, relying upon his counsel before we act because we know his plans never fail. Waiting on God ensures our salvation, both in this life and into eternity. Waiting also allows us the opportunity to experiece God’s discipline and correction, which are meant to refine us as believers. In waiting we become mature and ready for his exaltation, eagerly awaiting to fufill his purpose for our lives. Waiting on God means we slow down enough to not miss his daily mercies and grace, and it allows us to greater appeciate the sacrifice Christ made to ensure us eternal life. You can not know God if you do not Wait on God ; Waiting on God is the only way to truly know God. As you wait, He works—in you, through you, and for your eternal good.

The Difficulty of Waiting on God: Waiting on God becomes difficult when we feel as though he is’nt leading us anywhere. like a sheep who is looking for greener pastures, waiting often makes us feel as though the shepherd is not working. when we sit in stillness we often find ourselves feeling stagnate. Waiting means sitting in his presence and finding joy in that, and often times we desire to find joy and satisfaction in the greener pastures of this life. Waiting is hard because we don’t trust God’s timing, or we have a different vision/ purpose for our own lives than God does.

How to Wait on God:

Slow Down & Seek Him

Ps 91:1 “Dwell In His Shadow”

What it means: Stop rushing. Make space in your life—emotionally, mentally, and physically—to rest in God's presence.

Practically: Start your day with 5–10 minutes of bible reading, silence, and prayer. Sit in stillness and simply say, “God, I trust You. Lead me today.”

Why it matters: We often miss God’s direction because we move too fast. Waiting begins with slowing down, enjoying the peace of His shadow.

Pray with Patience & Expectancy

“True patience means resting in Christ, trusting the Good Shepherd to lead us.”

What it means: Prayer isn't just for requests—it’s for relationship. Keep bringing your needs and questions to God, but also wait with expectation.

Practically: Keep a journal of prayers—write down what you’re asking God to do, and also what you sense He’s teaching you.

Why it matters: This builds trust and reminds you that God is working, even when you don’t see it yet.

Persevere in God’s Word

“Waiting is actively lived out in our spiritual life through fervent prayer… & diligent study of His Word.”

What it means: When you're not sure what God is doing, stay grounded in what He’s already said.

Practically: Read one passage a day (start with Psalms or the Gospel of John). Ask: What does this show me about God? What do I need to trust?

Why it matters: God speaks through His Word. The more you listen, the more you'll know His heart.

Obey in the Ordinary

“In the mundane, will we patiently wait on God, or pioneer our own way?”

What it means: Waiting isn’t passive—it’s living today by God’s Word even if you don’t have all the answers for tomorrow.

Practically: Be faithful where you are. Love your family. Serve your church. Work with integrity. Repent quickly. Forgive always.

Why it matters: Obedience in the small things builds trust in big things. God often moves through ordinary faithfulness.

Surrender Self & Control

“Waiting on God turns our trust away from self and toward God.”

What it means: Let go of your timeline and your need to control outcomes. Surrender daily.

Practically: Choose to fast (once a week or month) from food, media, or distractions. Use that time to pray and seek God’s will.

Why it matters: Fasting trains our hearts to hunger for God more than quick fixes or instant gratification.

Look for God’s Daily Mercies

“Waiting means we slow down enough to not miss His daily mercies and grace.”

What it means: God is working even when we don’t feel it. Learn to notice His presence today.

Practically: At the end of each day, write down 1–2 ways you saw God’s kindness, provision, or guidance.

Why it matters: Gratitude shifts your heart from frustration to faith. You begin to see God more clearly.

Long for Christ’s Return

“Waiting on God ensures our salvation… We become mature and ready for His exaltation.”

What it means: We’re not just waiting for answers—we’re waiting for the day we’ll be with Jesus forever.

Practically: Talk about heaven with your family. Remind yourself daily: “This life isn’t all there is.”

Why it matters: Eternal hope gives you strength for today. Christ’s return puts everything else in perspective.

Commentary:

Commentary on Passage:

Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis Chapter 58: Joseph in Prison: An Unwavering Faith (Gen. 40)

God put his servant in this adverse situation to test his perseverance in the promised hope

Commentary on Waiting:

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Volumes 1–5 2. The Verb

The most important and frequent use of the word “wait,” however, is to define the attitude of a soul God-ward. It implies the listening ear, a heart responsive to the wooing of God, a concentration of the spiritual faculties upon heavenly things, the patience of faith, “the earnest expectation of the creation” (

Supporting Scripture:

Waiting On God

Psalm 25:3 “No one who waits for you will be disgraced; those who act treacherously without cause will be disgraced.”

Psalm 25:5 “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long.”

Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 33:20 “We wait for (and depend on) the Lord; he is our help and shield.”

Psalm 37:7 “Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the person who carries out evil plans.”

Psalm 37:34 “Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. You will watch when the wicked are destroyed.”

Psalm 130:5–6 “I wait for the Lord; I wait and put my hope in his word. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.”

Lamentations 3:25–26 “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him. It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.”

Isaiah 8:17 “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will wait for him.”

Isaiah 25:9 “On that day it will be said, “Look, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he has saved us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him. Let’s rejoice and be glad in his salvation.””

Isaiah 30:18 “Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.”

Isaiah 40:31 “but those who (wait) trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 49:23b “Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who put their hope (wait) in me will not be put to shame.”

Romans 8:19 “For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed.”

1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 “for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”

1 Timothy 6:14–15 “to keep this command without fault or failure (waiting) until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. God will bring this about in his own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords,”

1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time,”

Refusal to Wait On God

Exodus 32:1–2 “When the people saw that Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said to him, “Come, make gods for us who will go before us because this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!” Aaron replied to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters and bring them to me.””

Psalm 106:13 “They soon forgot his works and would not wait for his counsel.”

Psalm 81:11–12 ““But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel did not obey me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own plans.”

Patience & Perseverance

Luke 21:19 “By your endurance, gain your lives.”

Romans 5:3–5 “And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Romans 8:24–25 “Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.”

Hebrews 6:10–15 “For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints—and by continuing to serve them. Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself: I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you. And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise.”

James 1:4 “And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”

James 5:7–8 “Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

Supporting Illustrations:

Waiting on a babies birth

“The nine months of waiting for a child to be born is more than repaid at the child’s birth. The same is true for those who wait upon the Lord” - Holman Treasury

Waiting on a baby is difficult, but in God’s timing 40 weeks is exactly what that child needs for it to be formed and able to withstand life outside and apart from its mother. Asa was born premature, and with him on the outside the waiting became only more difficult. Waiting is not easy but God’s timing is perfect.

The Faithful Father in the Stands

Illustrates: God is present even when silent; waiting doesn't mean forgotten.

Imagine a dad sitting quietly in the bleachers at every practice and game—not yelling, not drawing attention to himself—but faithfully showing up. The kid might not always notice or acknowledge it, especially in the middle of hard seasons or losses, but that father’s steady presence communicates something deep: “I’m here. I haven’t left you. I’m for you.”

The Long Road Trip

Illustrates: Trusting the Father’s route even when it feels aimless or long.

Kids on a long road trip with their dad often ask: “Are we there yet?” They don’t always understand why the trip is taking so long—or why they had to take a detour. But the dad knows the route. He’s been there before. The child’s job isn’t to know the way; it’s to trust the driver.

The Toolbox of Time

Illustrates: Growth in the mundane, patient investment yields long-term results.

A father teaching his child how to build something doesn’t just hand them tools and walk away. He patiently shows them how to use each one—measuring, cutting, sanding. It’s slow. Sometimes the child just wants the finished product. But the father knows the value is in the process. Over time, the child learns more than how to build—they learn character.

Waiting on God - Knowing God / Waiting on Spouse - Knowing Spouse

Just as spiritual intimacy with God requires intentional time and presence, so does relational intimacy between spouses.In essence, just as spouses deepen their relationship through intentional time and shared experiences, our intimacy with God flourishes when we patiently wait on Him, dedicating time to His presence.

Focus on the Family emphasizes this:

“Couples know that if they spend time together, there is greater opportunity for closeness. But this is not just a pop-psych idea... This is one of the ideas expressed in the Biblical word ‘cleave’ (Genesis 2:24).

The Hebrew term for "cleave" implies a deep, intentional joining—a bond that strengthens through shared experiences and time. Without investing time together, couples risk weakening this bond, much like how neglecting time with God can hinder our spiritual connection.

Similarly, Desiring God highlights the necessity of intentional effort in :

“If intimacy involves shared experiences, emotions, ideas, and sexual romance, it’s going to require significant time together. You can’t fit it into fifteen-minute increments here and there.”

This mirrors our relationship with God; deep intimacy isn't achieved through sporadic moments but through dedicated, quality time.buildingexceptionalrelationships.com+1nypost.com+1

Moreover, Focus on the Family suggests practical steps for couples to nurture their bond:

“Ten to 20 minutes to talk together alone every day... a weekly date night... a monthly ‘day away’... Escape quarterly for a 48-hour weekend.” 

These practices underscore the importance of regular, intentional time to foster closeness—principles that equally apply to our walk with God.

Supporting Quotes:

“when the waiting on God is seen as an unspeakable blessedness and one of the highest forms of fellowship with the Holy One, the adoration of Him in His glory will humble the soul into a holy stillness and make way for God to speak and reveal Himself.” - (Andrew Murray: Waiting on God - Waiting Quietly)