My father told my mother after his mother died, “I don’t know if my mother ever loved me.” There was never a time in my life when I did not feel loved by my parents and sisters when I grew up. My father always made sure I was loved.
Joseph’s Brothers Didn’t Feel Loved
Jacob was the father of twelve sons and ten sons were adults when our story takes place. Although they were adults, they desired the love of their father. Never in the story of Jacob and his sons do they crave wealth, but they do yearn for love.
Genesis 37: 3 Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. 4 But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. [1]
Jesus Loves Me
The speaker at a conference I attended was an older lady who had grown up in an orphanage. She felt abandoned by her parents because they were too poor to raise her. For the first ten years of her life, she felt unloved. Then one day some college students came and shared the Good News of Jesus and how He loved her. Jesus loved her so much that He died for her sins upon the cross.
At the end of their talk, they invited the children to place their faith in Jesus as their Savior. Her response was, “Nobody else wants me, He can have me.” As she placed her faith in Jesus she was overwhelmed by God’s love. “Someone finally loved me,” she said.
Over time her life began to change as she grew in faith and was nurtured by the love of Jesus. She would grow up, marry, have children and share God’s love with people all over the nation. Her powerful testimony brought many people into the Kingdom of God. It was there where they, like she had, were able to experience the love of Jesus.
Jesus Loves You
Perhaps you feel unloved like this woman did. Don’t hesitate to call out to God in prayer and ask Him to fill you with His overflowing love. If you have never placed your faith in Jesus the Lord is calling you today. He does not want you to experience one more day without Him dwelling in you.
Prayer for salvation: Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I need and want Your forgiveness. I accept Your death as the penalty for my sin and recognize that Your mercy and grace is a gift You offer to me because of Your great love, not based on anything I have done. Cleanse me and make me Your child. By faith I receive You into my heart as the Son of God and as Savior and Lord of my life. From now on, help me live for You, with You in control. Thank you that you love me! In Your precious name, Amen [2]
When we don’t feel loved is when Jesus can reach down and heal us. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-dreams-for-joseph
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ge 37:3–4). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/the-sinners-prayer-4-examples.html