KEEP YOUR HOPE ALIVE
After the birth of Joseph, his father Jacob desired to return home where he was raised (Genesis 30:25). Joseph was one of the sons of Jacob born to him by Rachel, and he was so unique because of two things:
1- He had the presence of God with him, he loved God. Genesis 39:2 (ESV) says;
“The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man……”
2- He had a dream and believed in it. Genesis 37:5-9 (NIV) says;
“Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it”……… 9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me”
Even when he went to prison, Joseph still believed in his dream. He believed that God who started the good work would accomplish it and he was never disappointed. We are in the era of Joseph; God will give us wisdom and favour which will draw us closer to kings. But sometimes faithfulness to God in following that path will set you in a season where circumstances get bitter not better before the realization of your dream. It is then that knowing God's word and his ways are crucial. Faith in God's word and His grace are what can sustain you in those distressed seasons. When Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and the chief baker in prison, he still had hope for a fruitful future. Genesis 40:14 (NIV) says;
“But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison” 

Prison To Palace
When the chief cupbearer was restored, he did not remember Joseph (Genesis 40:23) But God is faithful, after two years, Pharaoh had two scary dreams which his magicians failed to interpret (Genesis 41:1-8) and it was then that the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph. Genesis 41:12-14 (ESV) says;
“A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream.  13 And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.” 14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit”
God gave Joseph wisdom to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams correctly. And Pharaoh submitted to Joseph’s wonderful proposals on how to move the country forward ahead of seven years of great abundance and seven years of severe famine. Genesis 41:37-40 (ESV) says;
“This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants.  38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?”  39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.  40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you”
If you are in the same state as Joseph, in a prison situation, know for a fact that the prison is temporary and a path to your destiny. Even the current coronavirus pandemic will become a thing of the past but your dream will live on because the one who started it is Jehovah and His promises never fail.  Joseph trusted in the Lord and knew that God who gave him the dream would bring it to pass. Because the favor of God was with him, Joseph succeeded in a foreign country where he had been sold as a slave.  Joseph did not forget his dream even though he was in an afflicting situation, instead he kept his hope in God who never forsakes those who trust Him. The bible says in Job 36:7 (NIV) that;  
“He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever” 

Dreams To Reality
Genesis 47:11-12 (NIV)
“So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. 12 Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families”
During the famine, Joseph became a solution to his family because of holding unto his dream. Because you are a child of God, He will sustain and satisfy you during this pandemic, for you will not suffer nor lack (Psalm 37:18-19). God always has a plan, so take courage, stand still on His word and keep your hope alive. Joseph was covered by the glory of the Lord; he was high a ranking official with a lot of authority in a foreign country – God and God alone can make this possible. Jesus is not limited (John 20:19), and will bless His people irrespective of the situation, and thus take courage and be rest assured that even in this lockdown He is more than able to bless you and fulfill His promises.
God has planted a Joseph somewhere for you and he is going to cause you to enter into the dreams He has for you (Isaiah 46:11). This lockdown period is like a prison because of the limitations and restrictions, but just like it was for Joseph, what looks like prison for you right now, is a path to your promotion. Our current situations, however bleak or wretched, are not our story's end. They are chapters in a much larger story that does have a joyous and purposeful aftermath
Joseph’s journey to the fulfillment of his dream is not unique to ours. God gives us a glimpse into Joseph’s life to show us how powerful He is, how He never forsakes those who love and obey him; and to know that what man intended for evil, God designed it for our good. Joseph tell his brother in Genesis 50:20 (NKJV) that;
“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive”

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