(Gen 37:18-20 GW) They saw him from a distance. Before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. They said to each other, “Look, here comes that master dreamer! Let’s kill him, throw him into one of the cisterns, and say that a wild animal has eaten him. Then we’ll see what happens to his dreams.”
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. Yesterday I introduced you to Joseph, the dreamer. This morning we go further into his life. One day Israel sent Joseph’s brothers to watch their flocks in Shechem. After a while Israel sent Joseph to check on his brothers. He was supposed to bring word back to his father. Joseph went looking for his brothers and he ran into a man that told him that they were in Dothan. So Joseph innocently traveled to Dothan. Joseph’s brothers saw him coming from a distance and they took the opportunity to devise a plot to kill him. Think about that for a moment. I understand we all have our share of family quarrels, but murder? These guys were the great grandchildren of Abraham. They had the blessing on them. Their father had been through a great deal and was now a changed and blessed man. Even with all of that, they wanted to kill their little brother. Why? Our text reveals the reason – because of the dream! When they spotted him they said to one another, “Look, here comes that master dreamer!”
Joseph being their father’s favorite probably annoyed them, but not to the point of murder. Even when Israel gave Joseph the coat of many colors, it made them dislike him even more, but nothing like this. The real issue was the dream God gave him. Once Joseph embraced God’s dream for his life, once he he had the audacity to believe he was destined for greatness, once he put a “Yes” on God’s plans for his life, his brother hated him to the point of death. Look at what they said… “Let’s kill him, throw him into one of the cisterns, and say that a wild animal has eaten him. Then we’ll see what happens to his dreams.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. The enemy does not like people who actually believe God. People don’t have a problem with you when you speak negative and have a defeated mentality; it’s when you start speaking like a winner that they turn against you.
2. The number one thing satan is after is your dream. If satan can get you to stop believing in God’s plan for your life, then he has defeated you by helping you defeat yourself.
3. Nothing happens until you announce it! Something special happens when you muster up the courage to openly talk about your dream, before it happens. Especially when you declare, by faith, that it will happen. Your words of faith initiate a response from both heaven and hell – demons get to work to stop you and angels get to work to protect you. Just remember, satan cannot curse what God has already blessed.
4. You will only be attacked if you are worth attacking. Satan will not waste his time on someone who is not pursuing their purpose. But if he is coming against you, it is evidence that he perceives you are going somewhere in God – that you are postured to make a difference in this world.
5. The attack is against the dream. God has given you the dream He developed for your life before the world began. This makes you powerful, appointed and anointed by God. You are called to make a difference. That is why satan will move through people to talk about you, accuse you, lie about you, and attack your character. But don’t get upset. Take it as a compliment. Satan only attacks those worth attacking, so if he is coming up against you, you obviously have a great assignment.
6. Never lose sight of the dream. Joseph’s dream took over 20 years to comes to pass. Along the way Joseph had ample opportunity to give up. He had to endure slavery, slander and prison, but Joseph held on to his dream and in the fulness of time it came to pass. The same will happen for you!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my purpose. You made plans for me before the world began. I am not a mistake. I was born for a reason and that reason is Your assignment for my life. Your assignment has become my life’s dream. I believe Your dream for me and I am diligent to do whatever you require of me to bring it to pass. However, I do not pursue success or the accomplishment of the dream on my own, with my own strength or my own power. I trust in You, Your grace and Your dedication towards me and the dream. I know the dream will be attacked, but I also know that the devil’s poison cannot stop my purpose. When I face major opposition I am not moved or discouraged. Actually, I get encouraged, because I know that satan only attacks those worth attacking. If satan is spending lots of time on me, then it is obvious that Your purpose for my life is great. So I enter every day excited. You have give me the grace to fulfill my purpose and that very same grace is the power I need to overcome every attack. If it does not look like I am winning, then the battle is obviously not over. I keep going, I keep pressing, I keep moving forward.. knowing that victory is waiting for me on the other side of the opposition. I will attain that victory, not by my strength, but by Your power. Not because I am so good, but only because of Your grace. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
