Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 43

Liars

Deu 33:29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

The enemies of the Lord in the end shall be proven to be liars. Often times, the word of God is distorted by God’s enemies. So many false interpretations have hurt the body of Christ. Indeed many are unclear about so many matters on marriage, ministry, parenting, business and others aspects. Someone said …you do not know what to believe anymore because there are so many versions of truth. God must intervene.

God must expose His enemies to be liars so that their followers must flee from them. God must expose His enemies to be against him and not for Him so that it can be clear who really is on the Lord’s side. So much damage will be done and many will be discouraged if God does not silence the mocking voices and change the testimony of those who say “where is your God?” Many times when ministries prosper, it is assumed they are serving God and indeed many are…but the few that are not must be exposed or else many flock to join these congregations and are hurt.

Today some say there is no hell, no rapture and no judgment …and God is not wicked to leave anyone unsaved. There are so many heretic teachings and more are being incubated. As you reflect on this devotional, pray that God Himself will intervene to expose the lies of the enemies. Indeed God may elect to wait till the end to separate the wheat from the tares but the damage would have been more extensive.

Lord, have mercy and let your enemies be found to be liars. Expose teachings that are false that the truth may set your children free.

Song.

My God is a consuming fire 2ce

Wont you heed the warning – my God is fire 2ce.

Refiners fire our heart’s one desire is to be Holy set apart for you Lord.

Prayer : Father, Lord help us … By your consuming fire, expose all your enemies as liars. 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 Cost of Rebellion

Deu 33:29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

It is strange that Deuteronomy ends with Simeon being left out and not blessed by Moses. In the book of Numbers, you recall there were two instances when there was a census. The results revealed a lot especially the second census of male soldiers after a plague devastated the Israelites after immorality with the Moabites. According to Numbers 1; Simeon was the third largest group with 59,300 only after Judah 74,600 and the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim combined to 72,200.

Now, let’s examine the second census taken approximately 40 years later listed in Numbers 26. Numbers 26:2 confirms that it is again the sum of males “twenty years old an upward…all that are able to go to war in Israel,” so each census was conducted with the same criteria. Simeon, the third largest tribe in Israel had plummeted to be the smallest of the tribes … loosing 37,100 people while Manasseh gains 20,500 people and if you combine with Ephraim, the tribe of Joseph have taken the lead.

In the previous chapter we learn that Phineas, a Levite, executed “a prince in of a chief house among the Simeonites for his audacity in taking a Midianite woman into his tent at a time when God was punishing Israel for such deeds. Indeed, God sending a plague which killed 24,000 people was stayed by the action of Phineas. The Bible gives no details of the tribes that suffered the most …but to account for a drop of 37,100 people makes us suspect that the Simeonites bore the brunt of this plague. Simeon cursed with Levi for being an instrument of cruelty for the vengeance over the rape of Dinah now worsens its situation with immorality with the Midianites. It is suspected that there was a crisis after this incident that led to a mutiny of many men of Simeon …only 22,200 can now be counted.

Genesis 49:5-7 prophesies that impulsive wrathfulness leading to violence would characterize both Simeonites and Levites . Now the Levite has executed a Simeonite Prince. God mercifully re-directed the Levites’ propensity to violence into becoming a tribe of butchers, killing, cutting up and sacrificing innumerable animals under the system of animal sacrifices established in ancient Israel. Simeon fades out from the army either through a mutiny or a more natural attrition.

The final result is that Levi is forgiven and blessed by Moses but concerning the tribe of Simeon, Moses is completely silent. While Levi regained an important and blessed role, the Simeonites you could go say go went from bad to worse.

Moses ends his blessings by declaring that Israel are a happy people saved by the Lord … all their enemies shall be proven to be liars.

Reflect on this devotional. Are you in mutiny against the people of God. Is the correction of God to flee immorality and worldliness too severe for you to bear. Learn from the Simeonites and the blessings they eventually missed.

Song.

Holy, Holy, Holy 2 ce Holy is the Lord 2ce.

Mighty, Mighty, Mighty 2ce Mighty is the Lord 2ce.

Faithful, Faithful, Faithful 2ce. Faithful is the Lord 2ce.

Prayer : Father, Lord help me … I repent of everything that could cost me my destiny.

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

Anointed Richly

Deu 33:24 And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. 25 Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

Isa 10:27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

The Bible says the anointing of God causes burdens to be taken off and yokes destroyed. Asher is blessed with children and enjoys the favor, love and good will of neighbors. Asher’s secret is revealed in the next phrase which says he has so much oil, he may not only anoint his head, body and legs but even his feet. Everything about Asher destroys the yoke of the enemy. Asher is a spiritual power house. Asher will therefore be so strong …his shoes will be iron and brass … the enemy runs from such an open display of power. But Asher will also live to very old age. He will be stronger as he goes older and not the other way round. His strength will never abate. Asher does not slow down with age – rather he becomes more anointed and powerful for God.

There are people seeking retirement … but not of the tribe of Asher. I pray you will be like Asher …so richly anointed. Blessed with many children and finding favor with your brethren. I pray that you will be invincible in power, strength and wealth. I pray that as you grow older you will become stronger for God …ready for greater assignments and exploits. I pray your anointing will so overflow even the dust of the ground in which you tread will be blessed.

Like Asher, you will live to ripe old age. Doing ministry and prospering for God when others have slowly declined … you will be like a man just starting afresh – anointed and more strong than in your youth.

Song.

A charge to keep I have,

A God to glorify;

A never-dying soul to save,

and fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,

My calling to fulfill,

O, may it all my powers engage

To do my master’s will.

Arm me with jealous care,

As in thy sight to live;

And O, they servant, Lord, prepare

A strict account to give.

Prayer : Father, anoint me richly to be used to save souls and keep the charge that I have and that God may be glorified. 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

Satisfied and full

Deu 33: 23 And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south.

Naphtali is a happy tribe. To be applauded and admired for being satisfied, blessed and full is a wonderful thing. This was the portion of Naphtali. Napthali, blessed by Jacob to be a kind tribe with good words for others, now reaps favor and kindness in return. They are happy because they content to be favored of God. They are happy because they are full with the blessing of the Lord. They are happy because they have possessed a great inheritance from the Lord. I suspect these are pointers on how God causes delight and satisfaction. I pray that you will discover God’s favor afresh in your life and be satisfied with what God does. I pray it will be said of you that you are full to the brim with blessing, over-pouring with blessings to others … and that you have all that God has meant you to have.

Naphtali does not have the riches that drive dissatisfaction and an unabated thirst for even more. Many are blessed and favored but they do not know it and they only need to see their neighbors riches to be plunged into tensions. May we not search and long for the possessions of others. May God bless us with contentment. Contentment is important for happiness.

Again, this text tells us divine prosperity and peace that the world does not give. It is God’s will that we should be satisfied and at peace even as we have possessions and are full with all manner of blessings. How true it is that the blessings of God do not add sorrow … but adds contentment, happiness, satisfaction and all round peace. To be full is to be complete … to miss nothing …to desire for no more riches. The blessed do not need to pray and seek for riches – they seek for God and riches are added to a barn that is already overflowing. Giving to others is easy and generosity is natural for the full has nowhere to store blessings that keep coming. The foolish builds more storage barns …but the blessed give more to others, becoming instruments of flow of great wealth to establish the covenant and purposes of God. In the kingdom, we also have spiritual possessions that cannot be bought with money – His righteousness, peace and joy in Christ. May you not lack anything that will bring permanent satisfaction into your heart. Let me be contented with your blessings in my life.

Song.

I have seen the Lord’s goodness

His mercy and compassion

I have seen the Lord’s goodness

Hallelujah praise the Lord

I have seen the Lord’s goodness

His mercy and compassion

I have seen the Lord’s goodness

Hallelujah, praise the Lord

O Lord you have been so good You are so good to me

O Lord you are excellent in my life everyday

O Lord, you have been so good. You are so good to me

O Lord you are excellent in my life.

Prayer : Father, let me be satisfied with your favor, filled with your goodness and blessed by a glorious inheritance of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. 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

Dangerous Dan

Deu 33:22 And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion’s whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.

Dan is dangerous and deadly to God’s enemies. Jacob blessed this tribe with the cunning of a serpent and now Moses bestows the courage, strength and fierceness of a lion on him. What can stop the one who has the head of a serpent and the strength and heart of a lion. Bashan is a mountain noted for its fierce lions, who come down to seize prey on the lower plains.

Dan takes the enemies of God by surprise. They leap with speed and before the prey can escape, God has completed His work. These are men with uncommon speed and accuracy in the work of God. They are the dangerous weapons feared by the enemy. Because of their strength and the damage they can do to the enemy they are often highly sought after in battle. But they can be proud.

Samson who tore lions apart and lifted gates like they were nothing – was of the tribe of Gad. The tribe was typically known for taking the enemies of God by surprise in guerilla warfare combined with overpowering strength. Samson in his pride becomes careless depending less and less on God and more on the strength. He lost the strategy of seeking divine direction on how to overcome the enemy … and ended up blinded and buried under the rubble of his victory. May God help us not to miss it – when we are strong not to depend on our strength and never to forget to lean on God, our strength – obeying Him as He explains his elected strategies of victory for each particular battle.

Help us to be like David who will never go to battle without asking God whether to pursue or not. Teach us to be strong and wise at the same time. Let us never forget that as you make us dangerous to your enemies we do not become careless in matters of consecration and hearing God such that our own strength eventually turns against us in destruction. Make us true soldiers of the Cross O Lord. Today, as you battle in spiritual war – you will experience a great victory. Amen

Song.

Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb,

And shall I fear to own his cause or blush to speak his name?

Shall I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease,

While other fought to win the prize and sail through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vain world a friend of grace, to help me on to God

Sure, I must fight, if I would reign: Increase my courage, Lord!

I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain, Supported by thy word.

Thy saints in all this glorious war, Shall conquer, though they die;

The see the triumph from afar, By faith they bring it night.

When that illustrious day shall rise, And all thy armies shine

In robes of victory through the skies, The glory shall be thine.

Prayer : Father, Let it be said that I was a danger to your enemies O Lord. 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

Enlarged to serve

Deu 33:20 And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head. 21 And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel.

Like Gad. God will enlarge you. God will strengthen you. Gad is blessed to have the strength likened to the Lion. A predator feared by enemies of God – it is said that Jehu who was sent after Jezebel was of this tribe. God needs fierce L lions in His service to deal with certain types of situations quickly and mercilessly. Gad tears the arms of God’s foes. But Gad is also a gentle and fair judge – executing justice and judgments with Israel.

Someone reading is uniquely blessed with a rare boldness to challenge evil and administer fierce judgments – but also self-controlled to share portions to others and to obey the laws of God. Someone reading is unusually enlarged but must not forget that it is God that enlarges and not any man. Gad causes Moses to praise God for His blessings of exceptional enlargement bestowed on Gad. Reflect on how God enlarges His own and the great strength in the Church – the Church that waits upon God like a lion. Sometimes underestimated when quiet but never weak and at occasions awesome in fierce victories through prayer. Worship the God that enlarges in the beauty of His holiness.

Song.

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,

bow down before him, his glory proclaim;

gold of obedience and incense of lowliness,

bring and adore him the Lord is his Name.

Low at his feet lay thy burden of carefulness,

high on his heart he will bear it for thee;

comfort thy sorrows and answer thy prayerfulness,

guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.

Fear not to enter his courts in the slenderness

of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine;

truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,

these are the offerings to lay on his shrine.

These though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness,

he will accept for the Name that is dear,

mornings of joy give for evenings of tearfulness,

trust for out trembling, and hope for our fear.

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,

bow down before him, his glory proclaim;

gold of obedience and incense of lowliness,

bring and adore him the Lord is his Name.

Prayer : Father, you are the God that enlarges. Enlarge my coast for your glory even as I worship 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

Different but Blessed

Deu 33:18 And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents. 19 They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.

Zebulun and Issachar are sons of Jacob by Leah and are of very different temperaments. One is outgoing, travelling to far lands abroad …trading and fruitful across oceans …known in the sea ports – but Issachar must rejoice in his tents. His business does not require travel. He works in farms, at home in a single locality. Sometimes the work of God is served through different temperaments. There are those who carry the gospel to distant lands … spreading the seed – always on the move. And there are those who must remain in one place … looking after the seed, helping it …protecting it with care and food …long after the evangelist is gone. In business, there are those whose business takes them abroad and across oceans and seas and prospering in intercontinental trade. But there are other types of business that is done at home, in only one location …some are writers and some are soldiers in distant lands.

We can be so different from the many others around us – but still rejoicing that we know and serve the purpose of God in our own unique way. If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? Moses reminds Zebulum and Issachar to rejoice knowing that they will both be prosperous albeit through very different avenues. One will have of the abundance of the seas …the other will enjoy the treasures of the sand.

Lord, we thank you for the diversity in the body and different manifestations of His grace to serve. You are blessed. Rejoice in your own unique calling and the wealth given to you by God. Both Zebulun and Issachar will be wealthy. Blessed to prosper in their industry. Find where God has positioned you and prosper.

Song.

Though we are many we are one body,

we are one body in Christ 2ce

One faith in the one God, One hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, One Father over all

Though we are many we are one body,

we are one body in Christ 2ce

Prayer : Lord Jesus, teach me to rejoice in the diversity of callings prospering the kingdom by different ways. 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 Elevation of Ephraim

Deu 33:17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh..

Manasseh and Ephraim are to be a glorious team. Strong, bold, unstoppable … a force God will use to advance the Kingdom even to the ends of the earth. But Ephraim will be more in number … they will be increased over their elder brother. It is God that raises one up over another. We cannot explain why Ephraim is persistently elevated over his elder one even from the time of Jacob – it was to be so …and Joseph did not understand it. Still both tribes were blessed. There are two issues here as you read this devotional – we must remember that it is God that elevates – it is vain to feel superior when it was never our doing in the first place. It is more sad to be grieved at the elevation of your brother. This is the second issue.

The reason for the expansion is to serve God and to move the purposes of God forward. For this purpose God requires thousands of Manasseh and ten thousand of Ephraim. The purpose of God’s differential elevation is to be of greater use to God. To be able to serve him more and help others even more.

The older brother must not be bitter and the younger must not be puffed up. May God help us in all our situations …keeping us focused on Him as we serve with different gifts and under different callings.

Let there be no bitterness in service and may we all find humility to bring all that God has equipped us with into his vineyard for His glory.

Song.

Of all the gifts Thy love bestows,

Thou Giver of all good,

Not Heaven itself a richer knows

Than the Redeemer’s blood.

Faith too that trusts the blood through grace

From that same love we gain;

Else, sweetly as it suits our case,

The gift had been in vain.

We praise Thee, and would praise Thee more;

To Thee our all we owe;

The precious Savior, and the power

That makes Him precious too

Prayer : Lord Jesus, Giver of all good things – thank you for your gifts, blessings and love. Teach me to give thanks and not envy others. 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

Remembered again

Deu 33:13 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of Heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, 14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, 15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, 16 And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.

About four hundred or so years later…Joseph is still remembered for good. His descendants are blessed again. How can I fail to encourage you to do the good that God helps you to do …for the reward cannot be quantified or remotely estimated. Both Manasseh and Ephraim are said to be the blessed of the Lord. Whatever the tribes of Joseph touch is blessed. I pray that this will be your blessings in Christ Jesus.

The land that you stand upon and land that you possess shall be blessed. The precious things of Heaven will cooperate to bless you. The wealth of the deep, the precious fruits and things of the sun and moon will all align in agreement to bless you. Even the ancient mountains and the lasting hills will bring forth for you. All the precious things of the earth and even those that hide in the bush will work in your favor. Because you suffered a consecration – painful separation from your brethren – for the purpose of God, all the goodness of God will come upon your head. Even many generations after – you will still be remembered for good. So shall it be for you, In in Jesus Name. But it was consecration – a separation for God’s purpose that qualified Joseph to be so singled out to be blessed.

Song.

Jesus the Truth, the Life, the Way,

Unworthy though I be,

I trust since thou hast bid me pray

Thou wilt remember me.

When tempest tossed with care, my breast

Is like the troubled sea,

Sweet peace shall hush the storm to rest

If Thou remember me.

My former friends regard me not

Since I have followed Thee,

But let me be by them forgot

So Thou remember me.

When I was bound and chained in sin

Thy mercy set me free.

And each day since, a proof has been

Thou dost remember me.

I hope though now my time of death

Unable to foresee

To say, when yielding up my breath

Now Lord, remember me

Prayer : Lord Jesus, Remember me for good … even now I pray for grace and mercy. 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

Covered by God

Deu 33:12 And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.

Benjamin is called the beloved of the Lord. I pray that this is how God sees you. As a special son who must be protected and kept safe – no matter the circumstance. Moses blesses Benjamin with divine safety. Who can reach through the umbrella of God to hurt his beloved. Who can take what God has covered between his shoulders. If God has called you beloved, who can call you desolate?

Dear reader …I pray for you and it will be said – God kept you safe and not men. No evil will be able to reach you anymore for you will be closely kept under God’s cover. Spiritually you will be covered. Mentally you will covered. Physically, you will be covered. Financially you will be covered. God Himself will be your insurance against every evil wind. Where things fall apart, you will be standing high. Where others fail you will be going even higher. Where storms pull down lives, yours will be standing tall. Where the earth opens to swallow everything on its path, its mouth will shut before you. The blood of Jesus will cover you from the power and lure of sin, you will be covered from the tongue of men and the arrows of your enemies. You will be safe from the counsel of evil men. You will be hidden from confusion and discord. No wonder … you shall be called the beloved of God. So shall it be in Jesus name. Have faith in Jesus. Believe in Him and His cover and be saved.

Song.

Working will not save me; Purest deeds that I can do,

Holiest thoughts and feelings too, Cannot form my soul anew;

Working will not save me.

Jesus wept and died for me; Jesus suffered on the tree;

Jesus waits to make me free, He alone can save me.

Weeping will not save me; Though my face were bathed in tears,

That could not allay my fears, Could not wash the sins of years;

Weeping will not save me.

Waiting will not save me; Helpless, guilty, lost I lie,

In my ear is mercy’s cry; If I wait I can but die:

Waiting will not save me.

Praying will not save me; All the prayers that I could say

Could not wash my sins away, All I owe could never pay:

Praying will not save me.

Faith in Christ will save me; Let me trust Thy gracious Son,

Trust the work that He has done, To His arms, Lord, help me run;

Faith in Christ will save me.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, increase my faith in you – that I may be saved. 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