Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck, And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:40-44)
Joseph’s journey from the pit to the palace is one of the most powerful restoration stories in the Bible. His brothers sold him into slavery, his master's wife falsely accused him, and he was thrown into prison. At that point, Joseph's life seemed to be a tale of injustice and hardship, but in Genesis 41, we witness a fantastic reversal, a remarkable turnaround, and a transformation of restoration. Just like in Joseph's life, every setback in your life is destined to become a setup for God's restoration. Notice also that Joseph's restoration wasn’t at all quiet. The very people who lied about him, the ones who tossed him into a pit, and those who didn't believe him in prison would all eventually bow to the new Prime Minister, Joseph. Joseph’s rise to power wasn’t due to great connections, expertise, or skills, but rather his obedience to God and willingness to use his gifts for God’s glory. Joseph wasn’t merely freed; he was promoted to the second-highest position in all of Egypt! That level of promotion can only come from God.
For anyone who has faced injustice or oppression, Joseph’s story tells us how God wishes to restore us all. Regardless of how it looks right now, restoration is on the way.
Practical Application
God has a turnaround planned for your life. Keep your mouth from speaking doubt and discouragement, keep your eyes on Jesus and not the problem, and do your best in everyday moments to open your life to God’s unexpected opportunities.