…Most of us began in our early years placing our TRUST in people.  If we had a good family life, we learned to trust

  our parents.  In school, we, early on TRUSTED our teachers to teach us what we needed to know.  Our closest

  friends received our dearest trust, and so on.  A sad part of growing up is to realize that everyone, sooner or

  later, will fail us.  Men and women are not TRUSTWORTHY.   It is so important for us to repond biblically when

  we are face to face with the deep DISAPPOINTMENT that follows such a let-down. 

…Joseph was no exception.  While he is in prison he helps a man, a new friend, who may be able to secure his

  release.  What joy must have filled Joseph’s heart.  BUT, this man forgot all about him.  For two long years…

THREE LESSONS AS WE LEARN TO TRUST ONLY GOD, FOR SOONER OR LATER ALL WILL FAIL US.  For even the best prove to be less able or willing than we had thought!!!    Learn to deal with this, or you will grow into an embittered person.

I.      We Must Learn To Stop TRUSTING In People.

                A.            Joseph found himself in a prison that soon had two of the king’s men.  God sent them there!!!

                                1.             They both had a dream, and were depressed because no one could interpret them.

                2.             Joseph tells them that only God can do so… (v. 8)

                                3.             After telling the dreams to Joseph, he tells them the meanings:

                                                …The Cupbearer…after 3 days he would be released and restored to his position.

                                                                Not uncertainty here…God gave him the meaning.  A prophet!

                                                                Joseph’s request:  “please remember me when…”  (vv. 14-15)

                                                …The chief Baker is also told the meaning of his dream…dead in 3 days.

                                4.             Joseph’s predictions came about exactly as given.  God’s Word is always true!!!!

                                5.             No doubt, Joseph was so excited, thinking he too would be soon delivered from

                                                prison when his friend would mention his situation to the king.  Every time the door

                                                swung open, he heart skipped thinking, “this is it.”  But it was not to be, as his friend

                                            forgot him.  For two long years, Joseph would remain FORGOTTEN BY MAN. (v. 23)

                B.             We too must learn that ultimately, all people are undependable.  Isaiah 2:22 tells us so clearly,

                                “Why trust in man, who can only live by taking one breath at a time?”   If he misses one breath,

                                will die.  Trust God who is the eternal breath from whom all our breaths come.

                C.             F.B. Meyer writes, “We cannot live  without human sympathy and friendship.  We long for the

                                touch of the human hand…BUT, men fail us.” 

                                1.             At one time, Joseph trusted this man.  But this experience taught him not to trust in

                                                man.  It was only then that he was delivered from the bitterness that overtakes many

                                                when, they “trusted in others and are disappointed by them.” 

                                2.             These two “silent years” are probably the years that made Joseph win out over any

                                                revengeful  spirit.  (His brothers, the Potiphars, the Cupbearer, etc) 

II.     We Must Allow Our Disappointment With People To Turn Us To The Lord.

                …For men and women will forget you, Jesus never will!!!  Turn and place your TRUST only in Him!!!!

                A.            Paul reminded Timothy, “If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot…”

                                …we must bask in the love and faithfulness of our God. 

                B.             Allow each disappointment you have with others to drive you to the Lord.  If you do not place

                                your trust in the Lord, bitterness will find lodging in your soul.  Beware!

                C.             There are so many verses in our Bible that tell us to TRUST in the Lord.

                                …Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 146:3, 5-6; Jeremiah 17:5, 7; Psalm 118:8; Psalm 56:3…are a few.

                D.            Again, F.B. Meyer writes, “God may  leave you long without help.  He may allow you to toil…”

III.    We Must Learn To Wait On The Lord.  Remember, His Timetable Is Not Ours.

                A.            Joseph must have been very excited to think that his release from prison would happen soon.

                                1.             The Lord had not told him how long his confinement would be.  He only knew that he

                                                had to wait on God  and that in God’s perfect timing the release would come.

                                2.             So he waited, and waited.  We must learn to do the same thing. 

                B.             God always provides renewal of body and soul, yet it is in His own proper time.  We must place

                                our hope and trust in the Lord.   Isaiah 40:30-31 “they that wait upon the Lord will renew…”