As soon as those prison doors flew open, he moved onward and upward . . . no looking back.
While he left his fellow mate behind, sitting in the dungeon he once knew all-too-well.
Desire and desperation had so gripped Pharaoh’s cupbearer, he was willing to promise anything to be delivered from the pit of his suffering.
But when he’d gotten what he wanted, he’d forgotten all about his promise.
“Only remember me, when it is well with you,
and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh,
and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out
of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing
that they should put me into the pit. ”
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.
(Gn 40:14-15, 23 ESV)
When life progresses and we move on to greener pastures, it's easy to forget what was behind. We can forget just how hard it was. Or fail to remember promises made in hungry hope.
Is there a Joseph you may have forgotten?
Is there some other struggling soul you toiled with way back when you were starting your climb up the life-status ladder?
There just might be some someone stuck—where hopes are dashed and exits remain locked.
Quite possibly, there is someone you are now able to help, but you’ve forgotten to go back after them.
This is most especially true in spiritual matters of faith in Jesus Christ.
If you have gone on to dwell in the pastures of the Great Shepherd, don't forget about those roaming in the valley.
We who are strong have an obligation
to bear with the failings of the weak,
and not to please ourselves.
Let each of us please his neighbor
for his good, to build him up.
(Rm 15:1-2 ESV)
There may be someone who needs you to remember them. Looking back just might be the merciful act they are counting on . . . praying for. As with Joseph, where they're stranded may be beyond their control. After all, Joseph sat in that dungeon through no fault of his own.
Maybe you’re the one dangling on the bottom rung—feeling left behind and forgotten. Joseph was blessed with the abiding presence of God . . . even there in that pit. Endure, as Joseph, with that same knowledge. God has not forgotten you. He is with you.
Joseph was faithful with the least of things, right where he found himself. Day-after-day. Year-after-year. Until, at last, God delivered him . . . after his fellow dungeon-dweller finally remembered him.
The freed and delivered should remember those still shackled in chains. Mention their name to the King of kings for His redemption to bring them into the light of day. And bless them in any way possible. That blessing has the potential to ripple and multiply . . . because a forgotten Joseph never forgets.