I Wonder How They Felt

If you're familiar with the story of Joseph in the Old Testament book of Genesis, you know that he was thrown in prison for a crime he didn't commit. After spending some time there, he did a favor for the king's chief butler, who was also in the prison, by interpreting a dream for him. Joseph asked the butler to remember him and help him get out of the prison. The butler promsied that he would. I'll bet that Joseph was filled with hope, knowing that his deliverance was near. "Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph but forgot him." -Genesis 40:23
After spending time in a horrible concentration camp, Corrie Ten Boom finally received her official release papers. I'll bet that she was filled with hope, knowing that her deliverance had come! However, the doctor said she was too sick to leave and had to stay in the concentration camp hospital until she passed inspection.
I wonder how they felt. Did the lose hope? Were they so disappointed? Did they feel that God had abandoned them? Did they wonder if they would ever truly be set free?
Or were they able to keep their eyes on God, knowing that He was indeed working all things together for the good? Not only would they be delivered shortly, but He was preparing something wonderful for both of them. After Joseph was thrown into prison, scripture says two times, "The Lord was with him." (Gen. 39: 21, 23) Were they able to remember that the Lord was with them in the middle of their disappointment and shattered dreams?
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He gives more grace when the burdens grow greater.
He sends more strength when the labors increase.
To added affliction, He adds His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
And our strength has failed when the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
The Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure.
His power has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He gives and gives and gives again. -Annie Johnson Flint