Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 38

The Wall of Jerusalem

Nehemiah 1:3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

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Every city requires strong walls. Walls keep harm away. In wealthier communities, you are often struck by lack of high fences and walls. But there are walls … some technology driven, others embedded in the culture. The prosperity of a people are also like walls. On the other hand, if you observe the dwellings in other neighborhoods … you will see high visible walls and wires for fear of robbery and attack.

The society that is more comfortable must also have peace … citizens in a blessed estate are less worried that thieves can strike because the environment is adequately policed and insured by institutions that guarantee safety… also because there is a high level of security and employment. Wisdom is another defense for society. A people with broken walls are vulnerable to plagues, attacks and needless pains. Poverty is like a broken wall. How come diseases like Ebola so easily defeats the poorer nations?

Ecc_7:12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have

When the wall is broken down, it means the people lack much and their habits unwise. Ponder over the environment that the Spirit of God is drawing your thoughts to. Can you sense gaps in wisdom and larger gaps in the prosperity of the soul and even physical lack? What can you do about it – in your own small way. Your first reaction would be, there is nothing that I can do …these problems are well beyond me … I am not the government …and so on. But God has put you in a unique place … a palace in Shushan for a great purpose. Simply trust God to fulfil His purpose in your life. Do not be tempted to just say … “but these things do not concern me” … or  “but what can I do ?”. Instead, commit to be part of the solution to gaps.

Verses for further meditation

2 Samuel 10:12; 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Good Organisation helps you to manage thoughts and concepts to fruitful execution.

Suggestions for Prayer

O Lord – I see the broken wall and the vulnerability of people to disease, pain and reproach. Help me to respond as you have ordained. Amen

As Nehemiah’s wall was built-  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste.  Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out for Nehemiah’s Wall from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless u.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient

 

The Great Affliction

Nehemiah 1:3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

Why are you blind to the great afflictions of others? Perhaps you are blissfully unaware. Asking questions and doing research can expose you to the pain and poverty of others. All around are pockets of affliction. People need the Lord, but they also need to live life in joy and peace. The poor have no peace. Where there is no health, there can be no joy. An unemployed man or woman is not always amongst the lazy – he or she needs to be linked to an opportunity to work. Do you sense that God has chosen you to ease someone else’s affliction.

Php_4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

Paul spoke of those who communicated with his affliction as having well done. Can you be said to be one gifted to communicate with the affliction of others. If you can, you have been gifted by God to change the world. At the heart of your destiny is the area of affliction you have been led to communicate with.

Isa 58:5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? 6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

There are seasons in our lives when we must pour out generously for others … to commit to discover and loose the afflictions and chains entangling others … to undo burdens and free the oppressed.

Today is a good day to begin such a fast … a time to be concerned for the pains of those towards whom God will sensitize your conscience. Listen to people around you … let them tell you of many woes and pains … do not dismiss their tales of agony, for therein lies the path to your destiny. What is your business research revealing?  Ask God to help you hear and understand all that you should. A person that cannot sense burdens and weights on other souls cannot innovate for God.

Verses for further meditation

Psalm 51:18-19; Psalm 85:1

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, touch my heart to feel for the afflictions and reproach of others. Amen

 

As Nehemiah’s wall was built-  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste.  Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out for Nehemiah’s Wall from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless u.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient

 

What are your Concerns?

Nehemiah 1:2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

At the heart of every success in business is a concept. The concept is tied to an idea, a burden …a need that is not met. A vacuum to be filled … or a concern. You are created for a concern, not just to make money. Your success in the world is tied to the fulfilment of a divine purpose … something that keeps you awake until you take the necessary action. Many were concerned centuries ago, about the inconvenience of houses with candles and kerosene lamps, but someone asked the right questions and the electric bulb was invented. Till today, no other invention has made this idea redundant. If someone had not been concerned that candle light and kerosene fires were not ideal for homes … if someone had not observed a need and asked the pertinent questions … if. Questions are important before you can move in the right direction. What is the focus of your questions? Another word for questions is research.

What research are you doing? What is the market of your business? Have you bothered to understand it? You should ask questions when concerned but ignorant … Nehemiah asked questions and sought for answers concerning Jerusalem. Begin your venture with research, probe until you have received all the answers you need. Do not dive in until you know enough for the assignment ahead.

How do you take advantage of the knowledge in people that come around you? Have you considered that God has chosen even the company around you to educate you, to train you …to answer questions that must be answered to trigger your destiny. Do not despise anyone … instead ask them more questions.  Any and everyone has vital information that you will need … now or for the future.

Nehemiah asked concerning the Jews that had escaped, about Jerusalem. Your venture begins not with actions but the right answers concerning the burden God has placed on your heart.

Verses for further meditation

Jeremiah 8:22; Isaiah 62:1

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Vision must be translated into reality. Ideas will not just happen.

Suggestions for Prayer

O Lord thank you for the burdens you have put in my heart – help me to ask the right questions and to receive the right answers to put me in the right direction. Amen

 

As Nehemiah’s wall was built-  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste.  Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out for Nehemiah’s Wall from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless u.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient

 

Shushan the Palace

Nehemiah 1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace

Nehemiah was in the palace when this story begins. He was advantaged and comfortable, but still concerned for matters he could not get off his mind. Shushan was not Israel …indeed Nehemiah was in exile, a stranger removed from home and family. He used to be a man of consequence who often remembered his pedigree as the son of Hachaliah.  But a certain day, in the month of Chisleu, came into his life.

Shushan was where Esther also played her part in the history of Israel and where Daniel saw visions. There is a moment in time and space for everything. When that moment comes, God expects us to move forward and release our lives to accomplish His plans. Note that evil also is not random, but also planned and executed also within a chosen time and space.

Esther 3:5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. 7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

Haman waits for the right moment, casting lots daily, for the ideal moment to go before Ahaseurus. There is a moment in time for that project, business and idea. Do not be one given to careless procrastination. Today is a good day to begin afresh … to get back into God’s divine purpose. Do not be distracted by the trappings of the palace or the bars of the prison. What matters is that the time and location has been pre-chosen and destiny waits for you – awaiting your new resolutions and actions.

You have been called to meet a need and a purpose. Your location and time is linked to an urgent assignment. It is time to wake up to your predestined role.

Verses for further meditation

Lamentations 5:1-2; Psalm 137:1-6

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Everyone has great thoughts and ideas, but few will have an action method.

Suggestions for Prayer

O Lord open my understanding, help me to rightly discern the times and the location. Amen

 

As Nehemiah’s wall was built-  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste.  Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out for Nehemiah’s Wall from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless u.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient

 

Happy Ending

Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 

Reuben who started by defiling the bed of his father has been redeemed and forgiven. Simeon and Levi are no more scattered. Moses did not bless the tribe of Simeon at his death, but God has restored them back. God is a God of happy endings. Our expected end is a good one. God has no delight that any should perish. We see in many examples that God is good and His mercies endureth forever.

Mercy will undo what justice has said must be done. Mercy will balance out previous inequalities. God says He will have mercy on whom He chooses. We cannot deserve mercy or it will not be mercy. Why is it that some are forgiven and some are not? The true answer is that God is not answerable to any and His final company in eternity is determined by Him. He however told Moses that He will blot out from His book those who sin against Him. As the year ends, do not trivialize sin or mock at its cancerous spread. Sin has the agenda to frustrate you, not now …indeed now sin is sweet – but at the most important moment at the gate of eternity.

Song.

When the roll is called up yonder

When the roll is called up yonder

When the roll is called up yonder

When the roll is called up yonder

I’ll be there.

Prayer: Lord, As the year rolls to an end … help me to consider my life afresh…and to receive assurance from you that I am still on the path to God’s eternal Heaven.Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

Dan and Ephraim

Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

The tribes of Dan and Ephraim are missed out. Jeroboam, the wicked King from the tribe of Ephraim collaborated with Dan in the erection of calves to confuse the people in their worship. This was most successful as many did not go to Jerusalem to worship. This collaboration may also have cost these tribes to be excluded in God’s final list of His servants. Amos spoke of this idolatry with Dan.

1Ki 12:28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 29 And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.

Some have said that this list does not mean that Ephraim was excluded from salvation or that Dan was punished. Indeed the tribe of Joseph could be the tribe of Ephraim. But the principle that God blots the names of those who sin against Him was established even from the times of Moses.

Jos 24:19 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.

It is time to abandon all other gods …return to the true jealous God, the only God. Other gods who are not jealous … who are indifferent to what you do or do not do are not true. Jehovah will not be worshipped alongside mammon or any other god. I heard some other religions permit other gods and will tolerate wider variety in worship but not this God. He is a jealous God …do not expect Him to overlook sin. But you can repent.

Song.

Then sings my soul, my Savior Lord to thee

How great thou art … how great thou art.

Then sings my soul, my Savior Lord to thee

How great thou art … how great thou art.

Prayer: Lord, You hate idolatry. Let me hate idolatry too. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

Dan’s Idolatry

Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousands of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

In Wikipedia concerning Dan it was written.“In the Book of Judges, in the account of Micah’s Idol, describing the tribe of Dan as having used ephod and teraphim in worship, and Samson (a member of the tribe of Dan) being described as failing to adhere to the rules of a Nazarite, classical rabbinical writers concluded that Dan was very much a black sheep; in the Book of Jeremiah, the north of Canaan is associated with darkness and evil, and so rabbinical sources treated Dan as the archetype of wickedness. In the Blessing of Jacob, Dan is described as a serpent, which seems to have been interpreted as connecting Dan to Belial.”

We cannot precisely say why Dan was not mentioned in the final list of the tribes described as servants of God … but we see Dan setting up graven images also corrupting many others in the book of Judges.

Jdg 18:20 And the priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people. 21 So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them. 22 And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that were in the houses near to Micah’s house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan. 23 And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company? 24 And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee? 25 And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives of thy household. 26 And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house. 27 And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire. 28 And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein. 29 And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the first. 30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. 31 And they set them up Micah’s graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.

It seems the ways of idolatry even with their own priests did not begin today. It is a few days after Christmas day – but many will agree that these days it has no resemblance in its observation to the remembrance of the birth of Christ. Instead, it has become an opportunity for all manner of idolatry …May God help us

Song.

Come and worship. Worship Christ the new born King.

Prayer: Lord, Help me to worship you and you alone. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

The Final List

Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

In the Bible we often see many lists of the tribes with different significance. This is probably the most important of lists. There is a list by order of birth of the Children of Jacob. Then there is a list with Joseph elevated to a double portion and Simeon excluded as Moses blesses the tribes … there are other lists but this final one is said to be the list of the sealed … the final chosen. We notice certain tribes omitted.

We also know that names can be blotted from God’s Book as Moses was told…

Exo 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. … Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

We may think we have or have not sinned against our fellow men …but sin against God may be a completely different matter. Our apologies to men and confessions may have relieved us of certain consequences but to be blotted from the Book of God is surely a more serious issue. Two tribes are not mentioned …one is Ephraim and another is Dan. Also the order of the tribes is different …Judah is now first. Then we see that there is no difference in the numbers …much unlike most other lists where numbers differ greatly according to fruitfulness/physical expansion etc

God seems to be telling us something. First – God will blot whosoever has sinned against him …sin will not be trivial issue. Second – God is merciful …Reuben is forgiven and restored and so is Simeon …but Dan is missing. Third – Ephraim, who emerged as the star in the house of Joseph is omitted … teaching us that even stars must be watchful to end well. Fourth – Christ as the Lion of Judah exalts that tribe …and the name that is higher than any other name is honored in the final order of the sealed. Whether we see these lists as literal events or a picture or imagery… we will all need His mercy to make it to the end …to be forgiven we are taught that we must also forgive. May God help us all.

Song.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown

Prayer: Lord, Help me to make it to the very end. Let me find mercy at the end …chastise me now, correct me now if you must …but be merciful to me at the end. Thank you. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

Rare Overcomers

Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

The sealed …the chosen of God are overcomers because they have been preselected to overcome. God does not release His chosen ones under strong contrary situations without sealing them in safety. By this mark, they are pre-known …and seen in the Spirit as different. The mark is on their forehead suggesting that they are known even to principalities that these are the sealed of the Most High God. Even in the worst of trials and temptations, God is already faithful to have made us overcomers ahead of any troubles. The sealed servants are protected in two ways …first …evil is not permitted until they are sealed and when any evil is permitted to blow, they will overcome … not because of anything they can do or not do but because of their identity as God’s sealed children and supernatural help linked to the seal of God on their lives.

The lesson is that God sets His chosen apart for safety and mercy even in the worst of times. The other lesson is the concept of a final seal that nothing will be able to unseal. This unusual mercy is reserved for servants … this verse pictures a rare grace that is available even in extreme of difficulties … so that the servants of God will be permitted to complete their assignments even under the worst of spiritual and physical attacks. Whether the winds are errors, evils or powerful corruptions – they will be delayed until the sealed are well marked out and then the mark of God upon their foreheads send a clear signal to any evil wind that this one is an overcomer … no matter what. God’s overcomers are unstoppable and helped to defeat every evil wind …protected from seeing death until the appointed time.

Song.

There is a redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son,

Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One,

Jesus my redeemer, Name above all names,

Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Oh, for sinners slain.

Thank you oh my father, For giving us your Son,

And leaving Your Spirit, ‘Til the work on Earth is done

Prayer: Lord, Mark me with your seal of life. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

The Servants of our God

Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

Those sealed for eternal life are described as the servants of our God. To serve God is an awesome privilege. There are many gods that are not our God and we can do several things that serve ourselves, our agenda but not the Most High God. What does it mean to serve the Most High God. It means to know God, to seek His pleasure and to do His will. It means to live for His pleasure and to use resources for His kingdom agenda. Servants have denied themselves of certain rights and have accepted a humbling that comes with the role but only to please God. They have been chosen for the most arduous tasks, and to go to spread the gospel of Christ where others fail. Servants are denied of normal rewards and must defer the gratification that comes with fair remuneration … but knowing that they serve a rewarder of them who diligently serve Him. Why are these described as servants of our God? It is because God demands and values service, but not any kind of service … there must be haste, zeal, faithfulness and much endurance … many servants will die for their master for the love that they have for them …but Jesus already died for us … for our salvation.

Still we were saved to serve Him … Worship and service is linked. True children of God will serve as no one else can …have you ever observed these small family businesses and how the children of the owner look after the interests of the owner? Much better service, giving longer hours beyond what paid employees give and watching over the interest of the business beyond the normal call of duty. May we serve Him like favored children.

Song.

I was born to love you …to serve you

I was born to know you

I was born to please you …to love you

Let me be …what I was born to be.

I was born to love you … to serve you

I was born to worship you

To yield to and honor you forever

Let me be …what I was born to be.

Prayer: Lord, I want to serve you …show me how …teach me how. Let my service please you. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa