Fear of GodSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: Be not dismayed! The God of Joseph is in your midst. He desires to fill you with Himself. Grieve not! When the Holy Spirit comes into you, you will be strengthened. God had given Joseph supernatural wisdom, as he feared God. The Lord had set him before the king. The Lord had filled him with His Spirit.
The Bible again says, "Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (1 Corinthians 1:20). But God offers you His wisdom, far superior to the wisdom of this world.
Jesus said, "When you are filled with the wisdom of God, you will be like Me in this world." The Lord desires to make you His ambassador. When the Holy Spirit fills you, you are filled with the Lord's matchless wisdom, "the word of wisdom through the Spirit" and "the word of wisdom through the same Spirit." ( 1 Corinthians 12:8)
Joseph stood before the King. All the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men were not able to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. But this young man Joseph, a prisoner, tells the king, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (Genesis 41: 16)
For, God knows everything, He knew Pharaoh's life inside out. He knew what would happen in his kingdom. As God was in Joseph, he could tell it all. And he told precisely what God would do to Pharoah and his kingdom. This made Pharaoh exclaim in wonder, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" and exalted Joseph to heights next to him (Genesis 41:38).
Dear friend, this is what the Lord desires to do through you. He desires to exalt you by granting you His divine wisdom to demolish all earthly wisdom.
Many years ago my father, when he was 27 years old, persistently prayed for 7 years like this: "Lord! grant me the power to receive miracles from you for all who seek my intercessory prayers." One day he returned from the bank very tired. He joined the family prayers. Then he cried, "Lord! Fill me with Your Spirit today. If not, take my life itself." The power of God then descended all of a sudden and His presence filled my father. He saw his father, mother and the Pastor who were kneeling for family prayers; and the Lord's presence descending amidst them all and filling the room. Exceeding joy filled him. Just then a bright light shone in the room and in its midst appeared a Handsome Person. He looked at my father and began talking to him so lovingly, "My son! I am Jesus whom you have been seeking so earnestly all these years. You prayed that you should be filled with the Holy Spirit. Hereafter, when you pray for others, I will show you their lives as an open book." Today when he closes his eyes to pray he sees Jesus face to face. Princes and peasants, scholars and simpletons - all flock around him. The divine wisdom, which has filled him, enables him to tell them exactly what would happen in their lives. That is why thousands of brothers and sisters all over the world come to him, talk to him over the telephone or write to him or email him seeking his prayers.
My dear friend, do you hesitate perhaps if the Lord will ever choose you- who are poor and illiterate, rotting in prison with a future all smashed? Be not dismayed! The God of Joseph is in your midst. He desires to fill you with Himself. You may feel different because you have no knowledge of the Scriptures. Grieve not! When the Holy Spirit comes into you, you will be strengthened. Because Joseph was filled with the Holy Spirit, the King bowed before him. He acknowledged, "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." (Genesis 41: 39,40)
God exalted this young man above all men of great learning and wisdom and made him a virtual ruler over Egypt. The same God desires to exalt you also in this manner. Do not run after earthly pleasures! Seek Jesus alone. Be filled with His presence. Live trusting in Him. Be faithful to Him. To receive sufficient strength, be filled with the Holy Spirit, implore Him. He will fill you with His power and the matchless nine Gifts of the Spirit. He will make your life abound in blessings. Even as He exalted Joseph, He will exalt you in this world.
Prayer:
God of Joseph,
I trust You. I submit my life at Your feet and ready to obey You in everything. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Give me Your power to face this world without any fear. Hlep me to lead a faithful and holy life before Your sight. Bless me with the nine Gifts of Your Spirit. Make my life abound with Your blessings. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |