We continue our meditation based on 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)
Based on the above verse, we are learning the ways in which God will make us those who will overflow with His bounteous blessings in every area of our lives. If you are in doubt as to if this is possible, the word of God reminds us that it is achievable. We may not be there right now, but as we believe in the Lord and His word, this will become a reality.
Jacob and Joseph are great examples, where we see that Jacob got his overflowing blessings through his son Joseph. Joseph was in Egypt while Jacob was in Canaan.
We read in Genesis 41:57, “People came to Egypt from all over the world to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.” (GNB)
Joseph was in Egypt where everything was bountiful, and he was living in a place of abundance with no lack. However, Joseph’s father Jacob and his brothers lived in Canaan where the situation was grim as there was a severe famine.
We read in Genesis 42:1-2, When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why don't you do something? I hear that there is grain in Egypt; go there and buy some to keep us from starving to death." (GNB)
On the one hand Joseph was living a life of ampleness while his father Jacob and Joseph’s brothers lived a life of want. If you are wondering as to what the life of Jacob and Joseph means to us let me explain. In Jesus there is fullness, He is seated on the throne and Jesus has promised that those who come to Him will never go back empty. Those who come to Jesus can experience healing, peace and everything that we ever need. Sadly, those of us who say we belong to the body of Christ are living a life of lack.
Through this incidence we will learn how our lack can be replaced by abundance. In the previous message we looked at the part where Joseph’s brothers came to him, got the food and went back to Canaan.
Jacob and his family were in want once again
Once all the grains that they had purchased in Egypt was over, they were once again in want.
We read in Genesis 43:1-2, The famine in Canaan got worse, and when the family of Jacob had eaten all the grain which had been brought from Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, "Go back and buy a little food for us." (GNB)
Only when the want arose again did the family think about going back to Joseph.
So often we come to the Lord, and He fulfills all our desires and then we forget about Him. The next time there is a need we think about the Lord and run to Him. As we continue to remain in the family of God, and as long as our relationship with the Lord Jesus is consistent, He will replace our needs with His bountiful supply.
Sometimes we think it is not a big deal if we miss out on one Sunday, and don’t go to church. Think about the number of Sundays in a year. To some they will be overwhelmed that there are 52 Sundays while to others 52 Sundays seems really less. Many don’t understand the things they miss out on when they are not in church. Every time we come to the presence of God we will certainly receive something from the Lord.
Let me give you an example. Think about a child going to school who cannot attend school for a week for some unforeseen reason. A good parent will take the effort to get the notes from other students in the class, and do everything possible to see that their child is up to date with all the portions that he or she missed out.
So also, as a Pastor I sometimes wish someone will say to me, ‘Pastor I was unable to attend Church for 2 Sundays, can I get to hear the messages that I missed out.’ Up until today, every believer expects me as the Pastor to check and find out why they were unable to come to church. We give so much importance to academics and worldly knowledge, but take our commitment to the Lord, and the church rather lightly. I take great pleasure in teaching the word of God and spend much time with the Lord before I share the word. The reason is I want the word of God to impact the lives of people in the church so they can change, and attain greater heights in their walk with the Lord.
We must be constantly receive the word of God. Think about the way we eat our physical food. If we keep missing meals, and eat irregularly we will most certainly become physically weak. That is why Jesus said, ‘Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ Think about it, we take effort to record these messages, edit and upload them on YouTube so that people can listen again to this message. It is good to listen to the message again because we get distracted at church and if we missed some important points we can catch up on it by listening again.
Joseph invited his brothers to his home
We read in Genesis 43:16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon." (ESV)
Joseph’s brothers had come to Joseph seeking to get more grain. At that time Joseph observed Benjamin was among them. Benjamin was Joseph’s only blood brother. As soon as Joseph noticed Benjamin, he asked his brothers to come to his home. This had not happened earlier, Joseph was now taken his brothers to his house.
Joseph’s brothers were now being invited to his house, and Joseph also ordered that they slaughter an animal and prepare a feast for his brothers. Think about it that many came grain, but the brothers were invited to the house of Joseph because they had a relationship with him.
There are some who are quite regular and meticulous about attendance to church, but there is something quite different when we have a relationship with the Lord and dine with Him. It is so important that we have a close relationship with the Lord Jesus. If we only come to the Lord for grain (meaning our needs), He will give us the grain and send us away. However, when we have a relationship with Him, He will give us more than we can ask or imagine.
We read in Ephesians 3:20-21, Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)
Note that God is able to do far more abundantly than we can ask or imagine when we are in the church. The secret is our close relationship with the Lord Jesus.
How can we develop a close relationship with the Lord?
We read in Mark 3:35, “For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother." (ESV)
The ones who do the will of God are the ones who are closest to the Lord. In order to know the will of God, we must be regular to church and constantly hear the word of God. The more we hear we will be able to understand what God’s will is, and what is not His will as well. When we call ourselves believers we are just ordinary people, but when we become sons and daughters of the Lord we have a special relationship with God. We should know and desire to do the will of God.
Joseph’s brothers were amazed
We read in Genesis 43:33, And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement. (ESV)
When Joseph arranged all of his brothers in order of their birth, the brothers were astounded.
That’s what happens to us as God’s children too. When we get close to God, are regular in fellowship, and do His will the Lord will do amazing wonders in our lives. Sometimes when God does some wonderful things in our lives we consider them circumstantial. Only when we have this close relationship with the Lord can we experience His marvelous deed in our lives.
The disciples were astonished
We also read in Matthew 8:26-27, And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" (ESV)
As Jesus travelled with His disciples in a boat there was a fierce storm. Jesus woke up out of His sleep, and rebuked the winds and the waves. Everything became so calm that the disciples were astonished and marveled at what Jesus has done.
Every one of us have experienced these wonders in our personal lives, and we know that there are some things that only God can do, and cannot be accomplished by mere men.
Joseph tests his brothers
We read in Genesis 44:33-34, Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father." (ESV)
Joseph’s brothers met him after twenty one years. Twenty one years earlier, the brothers of Joseph plotted to have him killed, and sold him into slavery. They thought Joseph was done for good, but the word of God tells us that, ‘God was with Joseph.’ The brothers did not recognize Joseph, and Joseph decided to give them a test.
The test that Joseph gave his brothers was that they should leave behind their youngest brother Benjamin with him. If Joseph’s brothers were the same as they were 21 years earlier, they would have left Benjamin behind and escaped from Joseph. The ones who threw Joseph into the pit and were ready to kill him were now changed, and were willing to take the place of Benjamin so that he could go back to his father.
Whenever we hear of the word ‘test’ everyone gets anxious be it a child, young person or an adult. If the Lord has to lift us up, He will certainly test us. So, when we face those tests in our journey of faith, we should never lose heart. Remember, every time there is a test there will be a promotion. The God who was with Joseph is the one who is with us. Sometimes, we will have people around us who will predict that all is over for us and that there is no way we can rise above our trials and hard situations. If the Lord is with us, irrespective of the Egypt like situations that we are in the Lord will exalt us in due time.
If you come to church for many long years and if there is no change in our character, we will certainly fail when we are tested.
Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers
When this change happened to Joseph’s brothers there was a great revelation.
As you read God’s word carefully, you will realize that wherever there was a revelation, there was a definite change. The multitudes who followed Jesus did so for various reasons. Some followed Him for food, some wanted miracles but only the twelve disciples of Jesus followed Him because of the word that they received from Him. Hence, it was no surprise that only they had the divine revelation of who Jesus really was.
We read in Genesis 45:4, So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. (ESV)
Just put yourself in the position of the brothers. You had sold your brother 21 years ago and believed that he was done for, and that you would never set eyes on him again. Suddenly, as you stand before this officer who is providing grain, declares that he is your brother. We can’t even imagine the situation. Joseph’s brothers were stunned and speechless.
Only those who understand who Jesus is will surrender to Him. There is no one who having known who Jesus is can continue or live a life that is not surrendered to Him.
The man who had this divine revelation of who Jesus was
Let me share about a man who had this dramatic revelation of who Jesus was.
We read in Acts 9:5, And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. (ESV)
Paul thought that if he persecuted the Christians, he was doing God a favor. The moment Paul had a divine revelation of who Jesus was, he totally surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus. At this encounter we will notice how Paul who spoke so much in opposition was totally silenced before the Lord.
Let us surrender our lives to Jesus and thank God that He has revealed Himself to us. Sometimes the closer we get to God, the fewer our words become. We avoid speaking unnecessary words that are beneficial to no one.
We are studying the steps that we go through so that we come to the place of overflowing abundance.
• We come to church regularly
• We grow in our relationship with the Lord
• God does amazing things
• We get a revelation of who Jesus is
Joseph sees God’s purpose in his pain
We read in Genesis 45:5, And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. (ESV)
Joseph knew his brothers were shocked and guilt-ridden. He therefore encouraged them that they should not be distressed or angry with themselves for what they had done, because Joseph saw that God was behind this and had greater plans for Joseph and his family.
When we encounter the Lord Jesus, and have this personal relationship with Him we realize that we are sinners and the guilt of our sins will bother us. There are many who are living with the guilt from their past. However, after you come to Jesus and when you have the revelation of who Jesus is, He removes the guilt of our sin.
Sometimes we cannot pray because we have the voice of Satan accusing us that we are sinful and that we are worthless. The Lord is willing to change this.
Jesus our great High Priest
We read in Hebrews 10:21-22, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (ESV)
Ask God to remove that evil conscience, and let Him wash us with His precious blood. If the Lord washes us His forgiveness is permanent. He removes all of our guilt, and does not remember our sins any more. God can remove all those thoughts that trouble us, and the blood of Jesus will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If there are sins from our youth that are haunting you, the Lord will cleanse you and free you from every guilt.
Joseph was willing to provide so his family was free from poverty
We read in Genesis 45:11, “There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.” (ESV)
Joseph assured his brothers that he would provide food for them for the next five years of famine so that none of them would be in want or poverty.
We read Philippians 4:19, And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
God will provide all of our needs according to His riches so that every lack and want is met in the name of Jesus.
Just like the relationship that Jacob had with his son Joseph, we as a church have the same relationship with Jesus. Joseph was the shadow while Jesus was the reality, and if the shadow was so beautiful how much more the reality.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
