Learning and Growing Through Experience - Abraham and Joseph
These next few messages are examples of what happened and how some people became great through their experiences. I am writing about some men of God that God taught through their experiences.
Everybody has a starting point. A song years ago “I Feel God Stretching Me” – Think about physical exercises; they don’t feel good for a while, but once we get adjusted, they become easier. When God uses difficult and challenging experiences to grow us in our faith walk, it does not feel good at all. As we continue being stretched our spiritual muscles get looser and each challenge gets easier.
Abraham, the father of Faith and father of many nations: God called Abraham from a Gentile nation and made a Hebrew (Israelites) through him. Now the Lord had said to Abram, Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3).
As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.
Even when he got off track and lost his focus, it was a learning experience that increased his faith. From God’s perspective, Abraham was His friend And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God (James 2:23). Despite his failures, he is also listed in the book of
Hebrews, chapter 11 “Hall of Faith”.
Brothers and sisters, many of you are looking at us born again believers as sinners, because we are not open to see things from God’s perspective. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We sin, but we are not sinners! Can a caterpillar still be a caterpillar after it is transformed into a butterfly?
Joseph - From the Pit to the Palace: Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers because they not only were jealous of him but their hearts were filled with hatred because Joseph was his father’s favorite child whom Jacob loved because he came from the womb of Rachel, the woman Joseph loved (Genesis, chapter 37).
So, the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”(Genesis 41:37-43).
Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So, he set him over all the land of Egypt (Genesis 41:37-43).
Somebody sang “Through hard trials and tribulations, I made it over. And the victory is mine forevermore.” I am sure Joseph still went through other situations after God elevated him. At that point in his life, because he knew what God had already brought him through, He was able to trust God in knowing that whatever came up, His Lord God Almighty was in control.
Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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