Your joy will overflow | Pastor Dimeji Adepitan

Main Scriptures

• Genesis 16:1–13
• John 15:5–11
• Hebrews 4:14–15
• Luke 5:1–11
• Acts 12:1–17
• Romans 8:28

INTRODUCTION

There will be seasons in life when unexpected challenges are thrown at us. Sometimes, circumstances beyond our control can change the direction of our lives.

Decisions may be made concerning us without our knowledge. Situations may arise that we did not create, yet we are the ones affected by them.

The question we often ask in such moments is:

“God, do You see me?”

The answer is YES. God sees you.

The story of Hagar in Genesis 16 demonstrates that God sees people even when others overlook them. Hagar was caught in a situation she did not create. Sarai and Abraham made decisions concerning her, but when the situation became difficult, Hagar was the one who suffered.

She eventually ran away into the wilderness. Yet, while nobody seemed to notice what was happening to her, God saw her.

The God who saw Hagar sees you today.

1. GOD SEES YOU IN YOUR DIFFICULT SEASON

Genesis 16:1–13

Hagar found herself in a situation that was largely outside her control.

She did not create the arrangement between Sarai and Abraham. She did not design the circumstances that brought her into that position. Yet, when things went wrong, she became the one carrying the consequences.

Sometimes life can feel exactly like that.

You may ask:

• “How did I get here?”
• “What did I do wrong?”
• “Why am I going through this?”
• “Why does everything seem to be working against me?”
• “Does God even see what I am experiencing?”

God sees you.

When Hagar was in the wilderness, the angel of the Lord found her and asked:

“Where have you come from, and where are you going?”

Hagar could explain where she had come from, but she could not explain where she was going.

She knew her present pain, but she could not see her future.

Yet God could see both.

Key Thought

You may not know where you are going, but God already knows your destination.

Your current situation does not mean God has abandoned you.

He sees the challenge.
He sees the confusion.
He sees the pain.
He sees the mess.

And because He sees you, He can lead you.

2. GOD UNDERSTANDS WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH

Hebrews 4:14–15

We serve a God who is not disconnected from human struggles.

Jesus understands weakness, pain, pressure, disappointment, temptation and human limitation.

When we say, “God, You understand what I am going through,” it is not merely a statement of comfort. It is a biblical reality.

People may tell you:

“I understand how you feel.”

But sometimes they cannot truly understand because they have never experienced what you are experiencing.

Jesus understands.

He is touched by the feeling of our infirmities.

Therefore, when you cry to God, you are not crying to someone who is distant from your pain.

You are crying to the God who sees you and understands you.

3. GOD’S PLAN MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM YOUR PLAN

One of the most difficult parts of Hagar’s story is God’s instruction:

Return and submit.

At first glance, this seems difficult to understand.

Hagar was experiencing harsh treatment. She had run away because the situation had become unbearable.

Yet God told her to return.

Why?

Because God’s plan was bigger than what Hagar could see.

Hagar could only see her present suffering.

God could see her future.

What looked like a setback was part of a larger process that Hagar did not yet understand.

Important Lesson

God may give you instructions that do not make sense when viewed only from your present circumstances.

Do not assume that because something is difficult, God is absent.

Sometimes the place you want to escape from may be the very place where God is preparing you for what comes next.

The strengthening you receive today may become the strength you need for tomorrow.

4. STAY CONNECTED TO THE SOURCE

John 15:5–11

Jesus said:

“I am the vine; you are the branches.”

A branch cannot survive independently from the vine.

The moment a branch disconnects from its source, its ability to produce fruit is compromised.

Jesus therefore says:

“Remain in Me.”

The word remain means to stay, dwell, continue and abide.

Jesus was essentially saying:

“Stay here because I am your source.”

There may be many people who can give you advice.

There may be many systems you can depend upon.

There may be many places you can seek help.

But there is only one ultimate source.

Apart from Him, we can do nothing.

When the pressure becomes intense, the easiest thing to do is to look away from God.

But the instruction is:

Remain.

Remain when things are good.

Remain when things are difficult.

Remain when you understand.

Remain when you do not understand.

Remain when the answer comes quickly.

Remain when you are still waiting.

Stay connected to the Source.

5. GOD WANTS YOU TO SEE HIM

God sees you, but He also wants you to see Him.

It is possible for God to see you while you fail to recognise His presence.

Therefore, the question is not only:

“Does God see me?”

The question is also:

“Can I see God in this situation?”

When you see God correctly, your perspective changes.

Instead of only seeing the problem, you begin to see the God who is greater than the problem.

Instead of seeing the closed door, you begin to see the God who can open doors.

Instead of seeing the wilderness, you begin to see the God who can sustain you in the wilderness.

Instead of seeing the delay, you begin to see the God who already knows your appointed time.

6. DON’T INTERJECT YOURSELF INTO GOD’S PLAN

One of the strongest lessons from the sermon is:

Let God do it His way.

When we become impatient, we can interfere with what God is doing.

We may try to solve the problem ourselves.

We may run to people before asking God.

We may accept every piece of advice simply because it sounds reasonable.

But the question we must learn to ask is:

“Have you asked God?”

Before asking everyone else what to do, ask God.

Before following every opinion, seek God’s direction.

Before making a major decision, shut the door and seek Him.

God cannot lie.

God does not miss the target.

God knows the end from the beginning.

If you allow God to do it His way, He will work it out according to His plan.

7. OBEDIENCE IS CONNECTED TO YOUR JOY

John 15:10–11

Jesus connects remaining in Him, obedience and joy.

He says that He has told us these things so that our joy may be full.

Therefore, joy is not simply a product of favourable circumstances.

You can have joy because you know who is holding your future.

Your present circumstances may change.

Your environment may change.

People may change.

But God remains faithful.

Your joy can overflow because your confidence is in God, not in your circumstances.

8. LISTEN AND OBEY GOD

Luke 5:1–11

Peter had worked all night and caught nothing.

Jesus instructed him to launch into the deep and let down his nets.

Peter responded based on his experience:

“We have worked all night.”

Peter knew fishing.

Jesus knew the outcome.

Peter heard the instruction, but his response was not complete obedience.

When he eventually let down the net, there was an extraordinary catch.

Lesson

Hearing God is not the same as obeying God.

Your reward season is connected to your willingness to follow God’s instruction.

Sometimes God will tell you to do something that contradicts what your experience is telling you.

Obey Him.

Because God sees what you cannot see.

9. GIVE THANKS BEFORE YOU SEE THE ANSWER

Thanksgiving is not only for when the miracle has arrived.

Thanksgiving is an expression of confidence in God’s faithfulness.

Give thanks:

• When you understand.
• When you do not understand.
• When the door is open.
• When the door appears closed.
• When you see the answer.
• When you are still waiting.

Jesus demonstrated this principle when He gave thanks to the Father, knowing that the Father had already heard Him.

Thanksgiving says:

“God, I trust You even before I see the result.”

When you maintain an attitude of thanksgiving, you position yourself to recognise God’s faithfulness.

10. GOD DOES NOT REACT — HE HAS ALREADY MADE PROVISION

This is one of the powerful truths from the sermon.

God does not react to your problem as though He is surprised by it.

He already knew the situation would arise.

He already knew the challenge was coming.

And He already had provision prepared.

Consider Peter’s miraculous catch of fish.

The fish did not suddenly appear because Peter threw the net.

The fish were already there.

Peter simply needed divine direction to discover where they were.

Likewise, when you cry to God for help, your prayer does not inform God of something He did not know.

Your prayer positions you to recognise the provision He has already prepared.

Key Thought

God knows where your miracle is.

You may not know where it is.

But God does.

11. YOUR HELP IS ALREADY ON THE WAY

Acts 12

Peter was imprisoned, but the church prayed continually for him.

When the angel appeared, Peter was able to recognise the help God had sent.

The prison gates opened.

The impossible became possible.

Therefore, never assume that because you cannot see help, there is no help.

God may already have prepared what you need.

Your responsibility is to remain connected to Him, listen to His voice and follow His direction.

The gate will open.

The way will be made.

The help will come.

God is faithful.

12. WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH WILL WORK FOR YOUR GOOD

Romans 8:28

“All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose.”

This does not mean everything that happens is good.

It means God is able to take everything and work it together for your good.

The situation may not look good.

The delay may not feel good.

The disappointment may not be good.

But God can take the pieces and put them together according to His purpose.

Therefore:

Don’t judge your future by your present situation.

What looks like the end may only be preparation for another chapter.

CONCLUSION

The message is simple:

GOD SEES YOU.

When people overlook you, God sees you.

When circumstances overwhelm you, God sees you.

When you don’t understand what is happening, God sees you.

When you cannot see the way forward, God sees the destination.

But the God who sees you is also calling you to see Him.

Remain in Him.

Trust Him.

Obey Him.

Give thanks to Him.

Do not run ahead of Him.

Do not allow your present circumstances to make you disconnect from your Source.

God has a plan.

God has provision.

God has help.

God has a destination.

And He will do it His way and in His time.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. God sees you even when people overlook you.
2. God understands your weaknesses and struggles.
3. Your present situation does not determine your final destination.
4. Remain connected to God because He is your ultimate source.
5. God’s instructions may not always make sense in the present.
6. Do not interfere with God’s plan by rushing ahead of Him.
7. Obedience is essential to experiencing the fullness of God’s joy.
8. Give thanks regardless of what you see around you.
9. God already knows what you need and has prepared provision.
10. Your prayer helps you recognise the help God has already prepared.
11. What you are experiencing today may be preparing you for tomorrow.
12. Everything will ultimately work together for your good according to God’s purpose.

DECLARATION

God sees me.

He sees my situation, my struggles, my tears and my future.

I will remain connected to Him.

I will trust His process.

I will obey His Word.

I will not run ahead of Him.

I will not allow my present circumstances to determine my expectation.

My help is already on the way.

My provision is already prepared.

The gates that need to open will open.

God will clear the mess, lead me in His purpose and bring me into His appointed place.

I will give thanks because my God will show up.

My joy will overflow!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.