Dream Haters: Intimate Enemies
His brothers hated Joseph…
Genesis 37:4 (NLT)
Joseph (Jacob's son) and Jesus (the Man) had things in common:
They loved God and lived in obedience.
They had starring destinies in the world.
Their brothers were intimate enemies: dream-haters who doubted… or did great harm.
David faced them, too. Eliab, his oldest brother, mocked him before his fight with Goliath: 'I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle' (1 Samuel 17:28).
He also faced “house of God” betrayal: 'If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers' (Psalm 55:12-14).
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
When loved ones you trust REFUSE TO TRUST YOU, when they don’t believe you can rise and shine, when they diss you and turn their backs on you, wounds cut deep and betrayals hurt fiercely.
Be comforted, reassured, and KNOW that…
Jesus faced intimate enemies, too. 'Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?' (Luke 22:48). He was betrayed by disciples, brothers, priests, and hometown friends (who watched Him grow up), but He forgave them all, and so must you!
God sees every tear: 'Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll -- are they not in Your record?' (Psalm 56:8). 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted' (Matthew 5:4). Jesus cried, too. 'By His stripes, we are healed' (Isaiah 53:5).
God exposes intimate enemies, as well as the truth of your destiny, 'For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light' (Luke 8:17). Those who deny you will be proven wrong!
God restores and replaces every loss. 'I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten' (Joel 2:25). 'Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life' (Matthew 19:29).
God specializes in transformation, even our intimate enemies’ hearts! The doubting or hateful brothers above… became enthusiastic followers.
Therefore, be encouraged and CONTINUE!
Dream Haters: Intimate Enemies (Part 12)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.