“Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.”
Gen. 40:3

It doesn’t feel good when someone forgets your birthday, your name, or your request. My kids ask me for things often and sometimes I forget to follow through. “Oh yes, you wanted some juice; let me get on that.” It’s a fact that human beings are forgetful beings who forget each other from time to time. But God doesn’t. He is astoundingly better than we are and He remembers His people.

Joseph had only one request to the cupbearer after interpreting his dream (Gen. 40:14)—“Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me this kindness to mention me to Pharoah, and so get me out of this house.” Yet we learn that the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph and so he continued to sit in prison feeling forgotten.

Although the chief cupbearer forgot about Joseph, God didn’t. Joseph was well remembered! How do we know? The Lord was with Him. In Potiphar’s house we read (Gen. 39:2), “The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.” After being framed by Potiphar’s wife for sexual advances on her, Joseph was put into prison (Gen. 39:21), “But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” The LORD’s presence with Joseph was a guarantee of the LORD’s memory of Joseph. And what God remembers He will move on behalf of. And when God moves, things happen—great things!

Two years later Joseph is called to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh—God (and the cupbearer) remembered him. Joseph enters into the next stage of God’s redemptive plan whereby he will lead as second in command under Pharoah to prepare for the famine. Scripture reveals that God was working a much bigger plan to preserve His people and reunite Joseph to his abusive family. What an amazing work of God!

Will people forget you? Yes, sad to say they will. But will God forget you His child? Not a chance; God does not forget His people. We know this for Jesus promises to be with His people always, as their Head, Lord, and Savior. Jesus promises to build His church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. God’s apostle teaches us that the church is in the hand of God and nothing can take us out; nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Has God forgotten about His church? Has God forgotten about you His child? Perish the thought! God remembers us and moves on our behalf working all things for His glory.

Let the church not forget her Master nor His mysterious ways. He remembers us; He remembers you.