Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 41

Fire in the House

Amo 5:6 Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel

Amos the Prophet warns that we return to seek the Lord, if we want to live. Seeking means going back to God, it means repentance, it means finding God again. It means going back to his word. It means finding time to pray and going to our knees forgetting the passing hours. The one who needs to begin seeking the Lord is about to die but does not know it. He has been warned severally of impending destruction and the only way out i.e. seeking God. Seeking God may be inconvenient as it means going the farther distance to Jerusalem in Judah …a journey that was discouraged by the evil first Ephraimite King of Israel, Jeroboam and replaced with an idol at Bethel. Why do the Ephraimites worship at Bethel instead of Jerusalem. Because it is easier and more convenient and the journey to the Temple of God was farther but also because they were deceived for political reasons to do so.

The evil altar at Bethel was destroyed by a divine fire as predicted by a prophet. God will not continue to tolerate idolatrous deception … eventually he must destroy it with a fire that cannot be quenched. This devotional commands us to seek the Lord so we are not destroyed by evil, deception and sin.

God warns us that the liars who deceive saying God understands our sin and tolerates our idolatry cannot stop the fire that breaks out to devour the evil altars and false priests – unemployed vagabonds appointed by Jeroboam. But Amos says it is not late if you are reading this devotional. You can still get it right – seek God …seek the Lord and live. It does not say seek a pastor …it says seek the Lord.

Deu 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. 1Ch 16:10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Pro 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

As you seek the Lord, you will understand all things that pertains to that situation that has puzzled you. God will show the things you need to know. The knowledge and wisdom to live will be yours.

Song.

Dear Lord and Father of mankind, forgive our foolish ways;

Reclothe us in our rightful mind, in purer lives thy service find,

In deeper reverence, praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard, beside the Syrian sea,

The gracious calling of the Lord, let us, like them, without a word,

Rise up and follow Thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee, O calm of hills above,

Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee the silence of eternity,

Interpreted by love!

Prayer: Lord, Lift up your hand concerning all that you have said is mine and let the enemy flee. 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

God lifts up His hand

Eze 47: 13 Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions. 14 And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.

God is quoted in several verses to prophesy the double portion that will fall for an inheritance. God is confident an and faithful to do what He has promised to do. The verse adds that God lifts up His hand to give it and so it cannot fail to be so. It is important to know that none of God’s promises can fail. When he declares something – He lifts up His hand to make it exactly what it must be. Who can resist His hand?

Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

The Heavenly Canaan is also promised and will be exactly as God has ordained. The hope of eternal life is a promise of God … it is not an afterthought but has always been promised before the world began.

God defines the border and the boundaries. In our walk with God, there are things we can have, and there are things we cannot have. Boundaries imply that there is a limit that God defines. The hand of God also sets boundaries … God gives us many things in this world and the next, that we do not deserve. But God has His don’ts and places that are not for us …there are so called joys that are not for us and there are rivers we are not to swim in. Borders are good for us. God has given us a double portion but within boundaries.

I have seen saints that have it all but have been denied perhaps one little thing or the other. Have we enjoyed the double portion? Why do we long for that which is outside the borders? Many are blind to the double portion and its joys and pine for what God has said is outside the borders. Reflect on this and thank God for what he has given you and said you can have – but thank God for His borders as well. Thank God for the Holy City, Heavenly Jerusalem that will one day be ours. God has lifted up His hand – He will see to it that you make it.

Song.

Last night I lay a sleeping,

There came a dream so fair,

I stood in old Jerusalem

Beside the temple there.

I heard the children singing,

And ever as they sang,

Methought the voice of angels

From Heav’n in answer rang;

Methought the voice of angels

From Heav’n in answer rang:—

“Jerusalem! Jerusalem!

Lift up your gates and sing,

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna to your King!”

Prayer: Lord, Lift up your hand concerning all that you have said is mine and let the enemy flee. 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 Stick for Joseph

Eze 37:15 The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, 16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: 17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.

God does not embrace competition and hostility. Division often leads to strife and bitter regrets. Once we are separated from evil and the world, brethren are to dwell together in unity. Unfortunately this is often not the situation …and from the times of the Bible, even the children of God were divided. God predicted that a time was coming when the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah will end their feuding and animosity … they will agree in love. Today many still carry sticks of separation and disunity. But there is a blessing that does not fall on marriages, homes, churches, nations until unity is realized.

Psa 133:1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

A united force are formidable to the enemy. The result of disunity is further portrayed. Ephraim becomes inflamed with envy that drives them to idolatry. Judah becomes a vexation to Ephraim … a source of troubles. But see what they achieve when they unite. They are unstoppable in conquest, gaining many spoils and victories causing the enemy to bow before them.

Isa 11:13 The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. 14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.

Division in any mode is unwise and has its costs. Whether in ministry, marriage or even in ventures. The divided house is weakened. Aim to build bridges and to unite. God is especially kind to those who work to end cleavages and reunite warring brothers. The worst sections in perdition are reserved for those who fan the embers of envy and vexation amongst brethren. You can decide which role you will choose to play.

Song.

Let there be light, Lord God of hosts, Let there be wisdom on the earth;

Let broad humanity have birth, Let there be deeds, instead of boasts.

Within our passioned hearts instill – The calm that endeth strain and strife;

Make us thy ministers of life; Purge us from lusts that curse and kill.

Give us the peace of vision clear – To see our brothers’ good our own,

To joy and suffer not alone, The love that casteth out all fear.

Let woe and waste of warfare cease, That useful labor yet may build

Its homes with love and laughter filled; God give thy wayward children peace.

Prayer: Lord, Let us be instruments of unity and oneness amongst brethren and not of discord. 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

Something New

Psa 105:16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. 17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. 20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. 21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: 22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. 23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. 25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.

When it was least expected, Joseph was conceived and born and added on. The name Joseph means add on or increase…as I meditated on his life before becoming Egypt’s Prime Minister, Joseph seemingly was in a place of decrease and decay, he was in a dungeon. It seemed he lived contrary to the prophetic symbolism of His name. The text also reminds us of the constraint of the feet of Joseph, until the time of release.

Similarly the famine constrained the Patriarch Jacob to Canaan. I often wondered how the place of promise and inheritance, called Canaan now becomes a place of famine. The previous and divine injunction to Jacobs’ Father and Grandfather was ‘not to go to Egypt.’ Egypt in this dispensation has been come a place of providence.

In Egypt Joseph (the DREAM) is alive. When Jacobs’s sons brought back word to Jacob that Joseph was alive, it was subtle but it was A NEW THING! it was clearly recorded in Genesis 45 verse 26b that Jacob’s heart fainted, be he believed them NOT. The heart of the man fainted because; his heart had been broken and sorely disappointed, how many nights of agony, or longing for the return of the DREAM…Joseph. Joseph that was a cursor of the future.

In the meantime Joseph had sent wagons and cart loads of provision for the journey of his father and the brothers to Egypt. Goshen was waiting for them…A New place The Bible clearly records that in verse 27 when Jacob saw the carts his heart revived. There is a place for ‘seeing carts!!!’ that is both convincing and reassuring. It encourages faith and its revives the heart. It was an invitation to move out from a place of decrease and decay. Its causes us to do cartwheels, no pun intended !!!!!

So Jacob leaves for Egypt but via Beersheba (Genesis 46 verse 1). Beersheba the place of oath, the place of revelation, and the place where God visits again, and reassures Jacob of the ‘way of the spirit’ is to go to Egypt and the added benediction that Jehovah will make you ‘a great nation there’. In Egypt God increased his people greatly (Psalm 105 verse24). He added to them, they multiplied; the prophetic name of Joseph was fulfilled in a most unlikely place and a most unlikely time…A New thing

Song.

Do something new in my life, something new in my life, something new in my life – today

Do something new in my life, something new in my life, something new in my life – today

Prayer: Lord, Let a new thing begin in my 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 Sovereignty of God

Psa 105:16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. 17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. 20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. 21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: 22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. 23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. 25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.

God is sovereign. He is behind the entire saga. The story of Joseph and his brothers is only a small line in all the scripts He had long written and controls. You mean even the famine in Egypt was God? Yes … it was God who sent Joseph to Egypt. It was God who suddenly increased the people of Israel in Egypt causing them to become a great tribe in Egypt. And when it was time for Moses to be born, again it was God who made the Egyptians hate the children of Israel and make their lives terrible. God is indeed sovereign and rules over the affairs of men. He reigns and controls even thoughts and affections. In summary, God knows what He is doing while we do not. We can praise Him, we can seek His face on many things but we cannot hope to understand everything He does and why He does it.

That is why you must trust Him and worship Him. He is the sovereign God. There are no mistakes with Him. Everything is going according to His plan. You are safe in Him. Soon you will declare even to those that sought to hurt you that you can never be a victim or be victimized by men. Because our God is sovereign over all.

Song.

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne. Hark! How the Heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee, And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born, Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;

Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem; The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began, And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;

Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast, And takes and bears them for His own that all in Him may rest

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave,And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.

His glories now we sing, Who died, and rose on high, Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace whose power a scepter sways from pole to pole that wars may cease and all be prayer ‘n praise.

His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet – Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side, Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.

No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight, But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of Heaven enthroned in worlds above, Crown Him the King to whom is given the wondrous name of Love.

Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall; Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all doth reign, Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain,

Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing Their songs before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King.

Prayer: Lord, Let all declare that you are crowned, Lord of lords forever and ever. 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

Sing aloud

Psa 81:1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. 3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. 4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. 5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.

There are many reasons to praise God with all of our strength. To make a joyful noise unto Him. To blow the trumpet in the appointed day. First to praise God is a statute and a law of God. When we praise God, the psalmist remembers what God has done and how Joseph is a testimony to God’s greatness and worth above all other Gods.

Our praise declares the glory and greatness of God which are so vividly testified in scripture. God is so great. Even in Egypt where they spoke a strange language and no one knew God or understood anything about Him … no one was praying to Him or interceding …Still God found in Joseph a son to use to confound all the wisdom of an advanced civilization. God moved mightily and preserved the wicked brothers who did not deserve to be preserved by bringing them into a place where the language was strange to them. God is magnified in all cultures.

Our praise declares what God already is – awesome and mighty. Our praise testifies to awesome things He has done and reminds us of might that is incomparable. But most importantly our praise tells God we love and obey Him. He tells us to praise Him. This is a statute and a law. Those who hearken and obey his laws will be blessed. But again, the psalmist declares the feast days of the Lord are solemn. Praise can be loud and joyful at the appointed time but the gatherings must still retain their solemnness. Come to God with pleasant harps and psaltery, with trumpets …make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Remember the life of Joseph as a loud singing unto the Lord …songs that declare that when men have said it is over, God is only just beginning …songs that express that God has no limits …Songs that declare that God does the impossible. Songs that place no boundaries on God’s love and his grace and power. Songs that place God’s intelligence and strategic methods completely and far above what any human can fathom …songs that declare that God controls all kings, Pharaohs, magicians and even in the depths of the darkest undiscovered seas or the deepest forests…where the language is strange …God is still mighty and moving unhindered to bring his purposes to fruition. True songs of praise focus on God and what He has done and not us or our needs. Today many worship songs are not songs of praise. Instead they put the focus on our problems and issues. Praise Him.

Song.

All creatures of our God and King – Lift up your voice and with us sing, Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam, Thou silver moon with softer gleam! O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! 3ce

Thou rushing wind that art so strong Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along, O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice, Ye lights of evening, find a voice! Alleluia! 3ce

Thou flowing water, pure and clear, Make music for thy Lord to hear, O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou fire so masterful and bright, That givest man both warmth and light. Alleluia! 3ce

Dear mother earth, who day by day – Unfoldest blessings on our way, O praise Him! Alleluia!

The flowers and fruits that in thee grow, Let them His glory also show. Alleluia! 3ce

Prayer: Lord, open thou my lips that I might praise you like never before. 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

Chosen

Psa 78:67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: 68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.

During the allocation of the land to the various tribes of Israel, all gathered at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting or tabernacle (Joshua 18:1), which is also called the house of God in Joshua 18:31. Joshua being an Ephraimite, this is also called the tabernacle of Joseph. But what happened to it. Many years later, the Israelites in the time of Eli decided to take the ark of the covenant down to the battle field near the coastal plain. The Philistines defeated the Israelites on that occasion and captured the ark of the covenant. The ark never returned to Shiloh. Eventually, after the Philistines sent it back to the Israelites, David took it to Jerusalem.

Jer 7:12 But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.

The ark was taken by David to a place called Kiriath Jearim belonging to the tribe of Judah and later moved by David of the same tribe of Judah to Mount Zion. Christ came as the Lion of Judah. It is good to remember that it is God who chooses and not man. God sees the end from the beginning when He chose us. It is also God who refuses and not man. If you are still in Christ – rejoice you are the choice of God who said ;

Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

We are a chosen generation. We are not accidents but chosen and foreknown to be His children in the dispensation of grace. The one who has chosen reveals what He has chosen us for. To go and bring forth fruit. That the fruit may remain and so we may have whatsoever we ask in the name of Jesus. We are not chosen to lack or to be barren. Nor are we chosen to have nothing to show as fruit. God needs us to know that we did not choose God, rather it was the other way round. Similarly, it is God who will refuse and reject us – when we stray from His statutes and ways …even long before we think we have abandoned Him. He is God. Eli the priest miscalculated thinking God was still going to fight for Israel even when they were in terrible sin and the temple was being defiled …but the glory had long departed. Be careful. Do not fool with God. He has chosen Christ, the truth, the way and the life …the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. It is in His name and not in the name of Joseph, Ephraim or any other name that we may ask knowing we shall surely receive. Come to Jesus and live. The Lion of Judah.

Song.

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature, O Thou of God and man the Son,

Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring;

Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing

Prayer: Lord, Lion Of Judah – reign forever in me. 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 Arm of the Lord

Psa 77:15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah..

There are times we cannot be blamed when we see limitations, or observe the failing support of trusted allies or consider the dark hours and the familiar defeats mirrored once again in the situation at hand – only to come to the conclusion that there is no hope. Moses in a similar mode, could not possibly understand how the multitude in the wilderness would be fed …even if the seas found a strange route to the desert and vomited all the fish therein. Even if all the cattle were slaughtered and they encountered animals – even more than they could ever expect … how could there be enough to feed this multitude? But Moses was now, unlike in early premature attempts to move ahead of God’s schedule, a man who sought God …not just for his acts. Many times we have looked at our challenges, difficulties or seen the decay in our nations or the dearth of truth in the wilderness of wandering saints … and like Moses say “I’m standing here surrounded by 600,000 men on foot and God says, ‘I’ll give them meat, meat every day for a month.’ So where’s it coming from? Even if all the flocks and herds were butchered, would that be enough? Even if all the fish in the sea were caught, would that be enough?”

Have you asked… where is my help going to come from? Where is the deliverance of our nations going to come from? Jacob, Joseph and his brothers found themselves in this situation. But the arm of the Lord rescued them. God answers Moses … Numbers 11[23] And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not …

.

The Church does not believe God. She trusts in her committees, taskforces … her means, her good men…her prayer bands and missionaries …her new found wealth. The Church does not believe that by a strong hand and by fire there shall be an awesome revival. She trusts in the flock, the crowds, her means … her leaders and the strong organization … But God does not require this to move – good as they may be. Doubt no more, take no thought of the worsening challenges or the defeats that appear imminent … instead consider that it is the Lord’s hand that is promised as your tool of deliverance and not yours or your weary allies. God is speaking to someone and He says … you will see whether His word will come to pass or not. Believe your God and you shall prosper. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Look again … see Him and live. Cursed sin of unbelief …be gone from us. It is the gracious, loving, strong and long hand of the Lord that attends to the matters before our nations. Has the sacrifice of Christ and the blood of Jesus lost its efficacy?…Why do you distrust Christ with a mock humility that your sins are varied and many? Is He unwilling to forgive? … Come to the foot of the cross and lay down all your burdens …exchange your waning strength for reliance on His sure hand. Could you dare to trust Him and live again? Take your eyes off the headlines of horror, do not be distracted by the voices that say “how can it be?” … God has not promised to deliver us by mortal hands – especially yours.

Song.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word; But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,

Familiar, condescending, patient, free. Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.

Prayer: Lord, come with your mighty arms to my help. 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

Grace Rules over Birthright

1Ch 5:1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. 2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s

This is a right, privilege or possession to which a person is entitled by birth. The first born is entitled to a double-portion of the inheritance. This right should have been Reuben’s just as this right should also have been Esau’s. The Bible says Esau was a fornicator and a profane person who sold his birthright for one morsel of meat. Reuben was equally profane to defile the bed of his father. Sin brings down and brings an indelible stain. The advantages of the birthright include power, inheritance and influence. Instead of Reuben getting double of what the other brothers would get. Two tribes from the House of Joseph are raised to each get the same portion as Reuben. The genealogy is set aside and Judah representing praise and grace prevails to reign above the others. Christ did not come by Joseph but by Judah. Did Jacob or Joseph deserve the birthright? Why does God always chose grace rather than rights. Because our best are filthy rags. If Christ is our righteousness and his grace triumphs over all our struggles, we can repent and enjoy the salvation in that grace. The parable of the elder son brings the power of grace over any rights.

Luk 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine..

True repentance is the highest of all actions and true Christianity willingly surrenders all its rights. Indeed grace must triumph over rights. Rejoice in this truth.

Song.

Only by grace can we enter, Only by grace can we stand. Not by our human endeavor but by the blood of the lamb

Into your presence You call us. You call us to come. Into your presence you draw us. Now by your grace we come

Prayer: Lord, let your grace abound in my 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

Jeroboam – Opportunity Abused Part IV

1Ki 11:28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.

In this final section on Jeroboam. I want to focus again on Solomon’s reason for choosing Jeroboam to lead the house of Joseph. The Bible says he saw the young man … Solomon judged based on his sight that here was a good leader. Judging by sight is deceptive.

Lot judged by sight and chose the rich lands of Sodom. Even Samuel when he looked at the sons of Jesse came to the wrong conclusions. God’s choice to bless us – is often not aligned with what our sight portrays. When we have the Holy Spirit we are led by another personality.

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Do not be quick to come to conclusions or make decisions. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Your sight will produce answers that will support your carnal foolishness. Instead, wait on God and let God show you what you must do. Pray for mercy because your heart is wicked and your motivations are selfish. Be patient to let God choose for you in the decisions you make. When we see only with our eyes, we are prone to make judgments that may make sense but are not godly. Eventually we see that there are things that God must inspect for us that we do not have the faculties to know. I want to encourage someone about to take a decision based on a perceived situation. Do not lean on your understanding. Go and get a word from the Lord. Do not make a move until you have heard from God. Will you make mistakes in hearing God? Yes. But as you determine in your heart to please God, God will watch over your decisions and help you to hear Him clearly …speaking to you in so many diverse ways. But when God knows you prefer to do what your eyes perceive, He will leave you to your devices knowing how it will end – His purpose is still achieved with the sad end of Jeroboam.

Song.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;

Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower: Raise Thou me Heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

Prayer : Father, be my vision …now and forever. 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