RLJ-903

WHY ARE YOU CAST DOWN, O MY SOUL?

John S. Torell

December 14, 2003

This sermon is directed to all struggling Christians, who have had deep wounds in their souls. Some of these wounds are from childhood, some are from later years. But the wound to the soul will cause great grief and will make a person mentally disturbed. Psalms 42:1-10

When people are growing older, their bones are starting to lose calcium. This condition is known as "Osteoporosis." What will happen to a person if they lose more and more of calcium and other minerals, is that the bones will become very soft and eventually disintegrate. The human soul, which is created by God, must be nourished by Divine Agape Love and from love by parents and others. Deprive a human soul of these two kinds of love, and that soul will disintegrate! We now have a broken spirit. Proverbs 15:10-13; 17:22

People who have gone through deliverance, will begin to heal in different areas of their lives, but the deep healing of the soul can sometimes take years. A soul that is not healed, will manifest the following symptoms : Anger, resentment, impatience, emotional outbursts, envy, rebellion, falling apart when corrected, not feeling appreciated, etc. Just like having a sickness in the body, a sick person will try to medicate himself in order to get relief. This is ignoring the problem and dealing with the symptom. The disease is still there and will with time get worse.

A soul sick person may use alcohol, legal or illegal drugs, over eating or under eating, get into sexual relationships, seeking acceptance, understanding, love and sympathy and the list can go on and on. It boils down to one word: ESCAPISM! Only God can heal the soul, money, fame and people cannot bring healing, only disappointments. Hosea 5:11-15

If you fall apart or become angry when corrected, you are not healed! Proverbs 9:7-10
Sin brings out foolishness - Romans 1:18-25
When a person rejects the truth, they will sink into deception - II Thessalonians 2:9-12

Establish this in your heart: God rules by truth and love! Satan rules by lies and fear!

The prophet Jeremiah suffered greatly.

1. He was hit by grief - Lamentations 2:10-14

2. How Jeremiah mourned - Lamentations 3:1-20

3. God gave him hope - Lamentations 3:21-40

PHASE I : REJECTION

Rejection by his brothers : Genesis 37:1-4; 18-28
Rejection by a scorned woman : Genesis 39:1-23
Rejection by a government official : Genesis 40:23

PHASE II : RESTORATION

Genesis 41:9-14; 38-46

PHASE III: REPENTANCE

Genesis 42:7-24

PHASE IV: SOUL HEALING

Initial healing - Genesis 43:26-34
Deep healing - Genesis 45:1-28
Final healing - Genesis 46:28-30

Joseph lived 13 years of pain, despair, not knowing what life would have for him.
Joseph lived 70 years in splendor, power and authority
Joseph had FAITH IN GOD! Genesis 50:14-26

REMEMBER THIS: Jesus came to take away our sin, grief, sorrow, sickness and pain! (Isaiah 53:1-12)

God is love! (I John 4:6-21)

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