Sermon # 12 - Healing From Our Hurts Series

We read in 2 Corinthians 9:8, Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work. (ISV)

The Lord assures us that He is able to make our lives overflow with every blessing in all areas of our lives. Sometimes, our circumstances may seem contrary to what the word of God promises. Remember that it is God’s word that can lift us up out of our situation so we can be in the place that the word of God assured us that we would be in.

A good example of such a person in the bible is the life of Joseph in the Old Testament. Joseph was in such an elevated position in Egypt that people from countries all around them came to Joseph to receive grain as there was famine in every other country around Egypt. At the same time Joseph’s father Jacob, and all his brothers had the money, but no grain to feed themselves and their families as the famine was so severe in the land of Canaan. There was such a contrast between the way Joseph lived in Egypt, when compared to the way his father and brothers lived in the land of Canaan.

If we were to compare this situation with our lives as believers, we will realize that Jesus Christ came into this world, and He completed His work for our salvation on the cross, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father interceding for us. Therefore, if we as the church of Christ are still in want, it means that in some way we have failed to do some things that God requires of us to do so we too can experience that overflowing and abundant life.

Let us believe, and know for sure that Jesus is able to change any lack that could be there in our lives, no matter what they are. Generally, a man is not lacking only in physical and material things. For instance there may be a need for a food, accommodation, clothes or a vehicle. However, there are other emotional needs that a person may have deep inside their hearts. Even other family members may not understand or realize the deep seated problems, and needs that a person may have. The physical needs can be seen, but the needs of the heart people around us cannot perceive them. There are many who are hiding all the pain in their heart, and go around with a smile on their face. This is what we refer to as wearing a mask. This is so much like children wearing a smiley mask at a party or celebration, and no one really knows who is behind the masks. Remember that we have a God who is able to see deep inside and can meet our deepest desires and needs.

Jacob loved Joseph more

We read in Genesis 37:3, Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. (ESV)

Joseph was born to Jacob when he was old, and hence Jacob loved Joseph a lot. In order to express this special love for his son Jacob gave Joseph a richly ornamented robe.

Have you observed how when two people are close there will be some around them who will not like it, and will do all they can to split them up? That’s exactly what happened to the brothers of Joseph.

The brothers of Joseph hated Joseph

We read in Genesis 37:4, But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. (ESV)

The brothers of Joseph hated him because their father loved him more than he loved all of them and he also expressed this in a tangible way by gifting him the robe. I imagine that this hatred for Joseph must have been started by one brother, and before long all of them had ganged up against Joseph.

Hate is a dangerous emotion, and if we are not watchful, it can destroy us. The origin of hatred is not God, but the devil. God is a God of love, while hatred comes from Satan.

If we don’t deal with this hatred this is what will happen. We read about it in Proverbs 10:12, Hate stirs up trouble, but love forgives all offenses. (GNB)

Hate will only bring trouble, but love on the other hand will forgive all offenses. There are people who like Joseph’s brothers will sow the seeds of hatred, and we must be cautious of such people. Hatred will always turn to enmity. Hatred doesn’t happen all at once, but grows gradually. That is why we must uproot it as soon as it props up.