Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 44

Levi – No more scattered

Deu 33:8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; 9 Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. 10 They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar. 11 Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again

Levi was scolded by Jacob for his anger …a curse that manifested even in the life of Moses from that same tribe. But God now changes the curse to be scattered because of Levi’s unusual loyalty when Moses needed his support. Levi will now be a priest, a teacher of the law. The blessing of the priest of God is placed upon the tribe of Levi. He is no more to be a scattered instrument of anger and cruelty …but now a meek priest of God.

I pray for someone reading this devotional. Mercy will consider your works and change your harvest from bad to good. Christ is our eternal high Priest. Christ will help you as a servant of God to be upright and have the understanding to please God. You will love, know and teach the word of God and warn convincingly of His judgments. Your sacrifices of worship will find acceptance before God. The work of your hands will be blessed and accepted. Your substance will be blessed, protected and not diminished. As the waters of the ocean will not dry out, your resources will never fail.

When the enemy attacks you with your past – God will answer for you. All those for any reason that rise against you with hate will be smitten completely in their loins …never to rise again. You will not defend yourself. Instead God will be your great defense. In your ministry, you will not fail. You will succeed where others were brought down. I decree like Levi, you will never be scattered again. Strength and unity shall be your portion. In Jesus name. Amen

Song.

Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;

Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

God will take care of you, Through every day, over all the way;

He will take care of you, God will take care of you.

Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you;

When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you;

Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you.

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;

Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, let it be said that you took good care of 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

Helped by God

Deut 33:7 And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies.

Judah is blessed again. Moses now pronounces that Judah will never be short of assistance. There will always be hands, helpers for him. When enemies come against him, God will come to him as Divine Help.

This will also be your blessing. You will not be short of resources in any form to do the work of God. You will always find the support to be what God has ordained you to be. It does not matter, the type of enemies …old or new …internal or external…familiar or unfamiliar, visible or invisible, big or small …every enemy that you face today will bow to the help of God in your life. It will be said concerning all that you laid your hands upon that God is sufficient …and God is able. You will not lack for bread, finances, graces and vital strength on a daily, monthly or yearly basis. As challenges expand so will your resources greatly expand. Your enemies will say “it is God that helped him”. You will say “If it had not been for the Lord, how would I have survived…” The peace of God will envelope you. You will not be tormented with worries about supply for tomorrow. Like Moses pronounced a second round of blessings to take this tribe even higher. You will go even higher to achieve the elevation and promotion God has already ordained for you. It will be said that you are unstoppable – because God helped you. Like pouring rain showers, help will drench your habitations … like floods, help will overflow its banks to carry away all your burdens … like a great shield, help will still all the arrows aimed at you.

Jesus, when He walked the earth, testified that there were always angels ready to defend Him and help Him, even as He asked Peter to put back His sword when Christ was about to be arrested. God will make the help of men irrelevant in your life. Amen

Song.

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills

From whence cometh my help

My help cometh from the Lord. The Lord who made Heaven and earth

He said. He will not suffer your foot. Your foot to be moved.

The Lord that keepeth thee

He will not slumber nor sleep

For the Lord is thy keeper.

The Lord is thy shade upon the right hand

Upon the right hand

For the sun shall not smite thee by day or the moon by night

He shall preserve your soul – even for ever more.

My Help…my help …. My help

All of my help cometh from the Lord.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, Help me and be my Help and song. 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

Released to Thrive

Deu 33:6 Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few..

There are many cases in scripture of people that have been cursed – who found themselves in situations where circumstances must limit their growth always. Just as they are about to make progress in an important area they fall. Just when pregnancies and new deliveries are about to happen they abort the embryo. Gradually they are dying … slowly out of discouragement, depression and a cancerous pain that screams from within.

Reuben represents that kind of situation. But God is merciful. Indeed, a father figure representing God speaks to reverse situations like this. Prophesy over your children for good. It may be that curses have been pronounced by ancestors before your birth and you do not know. You can speak the opposite to your sons and daughters. Perhaps there is a hereditary sickness or it seems the women are barren or that there are no men in the household. Gather your children and pray over them. Begin to declare…Let (put their names) live and not die …and let the men in the house of (put your name) not be few. Do not wait for death to knock on your door as you pronounce these important spiritual reversals in the name higher than any other name. In the name of Jesus.

God had mercy on Reuben. When the tribes are mentioned in the book of Revelation, Reuben is not missing. Reuben was favored, forgiven and helped again by God. This is a good day to declare concerning all your children …let them live and let them thrive and be many times more than they are at present. Cancel every other negative declaration over their lives. And so shall it be. In Jesus name.

Song.

It shall be permanent

It shall be permanent

What the Lord Has done for us

It shall be permanent. Amen

Prayer : Lord Jesus, In your great mercy let there be a permanent change from limitation to unlimited expansion in all that concerns me and my family. Let sorrow and grief be driven far from our habitations.

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

Mercy for Reuben

Deu 33:6 Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few..

Moses pronounced blessings on the tribes of Israel. These were different from those of Jacob many years before, but they point to a God of mercy. Many generations have passed and much has happened since then. As the children of Israel get ready to enter the promised land and Moses about to die, he blesses the people he has led for forty years.

Reuben is blessed with forgiveness. Reuben shall be permitted to live and to also grow like the others. This is a blessing to strengthen a tribe previously plagued with a shorter lifespan and few men …perhaps a lower fertility than other tribes. Moses speaks a blessing to heal this situation. God is a God of mercy. God gives us a new chance every day to start afresh. His anger is for a moment but his mercy endures.

There is a reader somewhere who imagines he is cursed and carrying burdens that has paralyzed spiritual growth …living under a constant fear of death. As you read, I pray a second touch will come to you like Moses came to the Reubenites …but this time God’s mercy will lift past weights and you will be free to live a fulfilled life and to expand in every realm of life. Receive the blessings of God that do not add any sorrow. But fear God. Do not go back to your vomit – the misdeeds that earned God’s wrath in the first place.

I pray that as you look up to Jesus, you will live, you will grow in the Lord. You will not fail and will not be put to shame. Spiritual immaturity and greed – signs of refusing to grow spiritually, will no more weigh you down. Like an eagle you will begin to fly. You will expand in all sides and barrenness will no more be mentioned concerning you. Remain forever blessed.

Song.

Your mercy flows like a river wide

Healing comes from your hand

Suffering children are safe in your arms

There is none like you.

There is none like you

No one else can touch my heart like you do

I could search through all eternity long and find

There is none like you.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, In your great mercy help us to repent and let healing come to all your suffering children.

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 to be a Blessing

Deu 27:11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying, 12 These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin: 13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

Moses was close to the end of his days. An important aspect of the life of the Israelites was to hear the law … understanding that God blesses us when we obey Him and there are curses that will come if we disobey. The tribes were to gather around different mountains and different tribes would declare blessings and different the curses. The house of Joseph were amongst those to declare the blessing with the house of Judah. This is further symbolic of the ancestry of Joseph who was not just blessed but a blessing to the entire tribe.

May God make you not just a blessing but an instrument to teach people the importance of hearing and obeying the truths of God. Others will have the role of reminding you that God abhors disobedience and there are curses for the disobedient. Have you heard people say God cannot do this or cannot do that or that miracles are for the bible days…preaching often to a people who already refuse to hear talk less of obeying the laws and commandments. There are many examples of rebellion and disobedience that teach us that curses are harvested from rebellion. These are like those on Mount Ebal.

Indeed the disobedient are cursed …but the tribe of Joseph amongst others are chosen to bless. Christ is of the house of Judah, another tribe chosen to bless. Indeed Christ spoke hard words and said woe to the Pharisees …but His life was a blessing to those who surrendered to Him and a curse to those who didn’t.

You are chosen to be a blessing to others, to be an instrument God will use to increase others in the knowledge of Him and encourage others to obey Him fully. To remind others that God is a God who opens His good treasure …making us the head. In the parable of the talents …the lazy one who buried His talent declared that God is a wicked master. I see that our lives can preach the goodness and blessings of God teaching and encouraging others to model their lives to do the same – like the life of Joseph …or our lives can model what happens when God’s laws are disregarded. Joseph modeled the unfathomable possibilities available when God is pleased with us. As you read this devotional, be committed to make your life a letter that teaches that God blesses the obedient. Tell God you do not want to be a parable to warn others of the wrath that comes when we refuse to hearken to and obey God’s laws. What kind of preacher are you? What is your life preaching to others?

Song.

Lead me Lord I will follow

Lead me Lord – I will;

You have called me – I will answer,

Lead me Lord – I will Go.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, let my life teach that you bless those who are obedient to 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

Princes of Faith

Num 34:23 The prince of the children of Joseph, for the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod 24 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.

God himself appointed princes to divide the land. The tribe of Joseph provides two princes again double the others. Even as they fought double, they will have double influence in sharing the territories conquered. Moses is guided by the Holy Spirit to choose the tribes but always recognizing the double portion of Joseph.

Christ is the Prince of peace. Our Lord is the King of kings …as His children we are also princes .In Christ we are led by the Holy Spirit to minister the graces of the kingdom to others. Peace comes to those we minister to …they can learn and know of Christ as we teach our righteousness and there is a joy that the world cannot give. These princes are men of high integrity and diligence. They are fair and can be trusted to hear God and obey whatever they are instructed to do.

I pray that God can entrust me with His special gifts and graces. Note that the children of Israel have not entered the land yet but they already know they will win and so they already appoint the princes ahead of victory. In their minds, they have already won. Such faith moves God who moves the impossible. In your mind what is your conclusion. Your actions will reveal what you believe.

We must learn to live by faith and not by sight. Consider the boldness and faith that makes appointments well ahead of the conquest of territories. In your situation, what is the evidence that you live by faith? Begin to make more decisions out of faith in God’s victory. Begin to see the end – victory – even before the battle has begun. Know for a certainty that you will enter the promises of God because He will help you as He has before. May we be called Princes of faith by God’s mercy. You are not only blessed but you will apportion blessings to others.

Song.

From Heaven above to earth I come,

To bear good news to every home;

Glad tidings of great joy I bring,

Whereof I now will say and sing.

’Tis Christ our God, who far on high

Had heard your sad and bitter cry;

Himself will your Salvation be,

Himself from sin will make you free.

He brings those blessings long ago

Prepared by God for all below;

That in His Heavenly kingdom blest

You may with us forever rest.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, we believe we have your eternal rest – give us more faith to move the mountains. 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

Favored for early Rewards

Num 32:33 And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.

The Reubenites and the Gadites made a proposal concerning some of the lands already conquered before they crossed the promised land. This seemed like a greed or coveting of prime real estate that had caught the eyes of the Reubenites (cursed not to excel) and the Gadites. They later agree to fight to conquer the promised land but laying claim to these lands. Moses agreed to give them with conditions but he also allocates part of the land to half the tribe of Manasseh. Again it is not clear why the tribe of Joseph is chosen for this early reward especially when they did not ask for it. Moses settles the matter with Eleazar and with Joshua to be done as he instructs. It may be that the land was too extensive for just two tribes or because the war-like Manassite clan, was being rewarded for courage, and outstanding bravery ahead of all the others. Moses was displeased because the Reubenites and Gadites were focused on the reward and not on God or his promised land which still seemed in the future. Already God had said the tribe of Reuben will not excel …the mediocre cannot wait on God. They always want it all now…they cannot be delayed.

The exceptional bravery and faithfulness of the tribe of Manasseh is singled out for early rewards they did not solicit for. There is someone reading this devotional who is wondering … when will I be rewarded? The Lord says soon … you will be singled out for an inheritance you did not expect or ask for. God is a rewarder. The diligent, the faithful, the consecrated, the obedient will eat not just the fruit of the land but will be surprised with honors they did not lobby for. Again the tribe of Joseph excelled amongst other tribes and favored inexplicably with an early award of extensive lands. Hold on. Do the work. Fight the good fight. Leave the rest to God. Be still. The Lord is on thy side.

Song.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy Heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

From His own fullness all He takes away.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, let my eyes be on you and not on the reward. 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

Daughters of Zelophehad

Num 27:1 Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, 3 Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father. 5 And Moses brought their cause before the LORD. 6 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 7 The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.

The daughters of Zelpophehad made a special case because their father had no sons and they were about to lose their inheritance. They would not be the first to be in this situation… but they would be favored. They were also women with exceptional character and integrity. They came from the families of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. They spoke boldly and declared they were not of the company of rebels but had been faithful. A special case was made for them and the rules were changed. The Lord personally intervened and created a new rule to favor these daughters of the tribe of Manasseh.

God can change the rules just to favor you. God can make you a notable exception. Again consider the virtues of integrity and the importance of faithfulness of generations before them. Joseph unusually was picked out to suffer ….his female descendants were singled out to be favored. Rules were changed for their favor.

The blessings of faithfulness are immeasurable. God can create a new rule for an entire nation just to see that you are favored. Remain faithful even when others do not notice. The things God will do for you and your descendants – no one will believe it or be able to do it. Concerning your family, It will be said God changed the rules to favor you. His grace towards generations yet unborn in your loins will be truly remarkable. Generations will call you blessed. Concerning you and yours they will say your case is different. Like Esther came before the King uninvited ready to die …you will not die …but the rule will not just be changed, it will be completely suspended …all because of you. Praise the King of kings.

Song.

All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! Let angels prostrate fall;

Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.

Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre, and as they tune it, fall

Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.

Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.

Crown Him, ye morning stars of light, who fixed this floating ball;

Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all.

Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, the all-powerful Lord of all … let my case meet with your exceptional favor. 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

Remarkable Increase

Num 26:34 These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.

Why is this text significant? You will recall at Mount Sinai God ordered that the soldiers be numbered. After the plague brought upon by whoredoms with daughters of Moab and 24,000 perished, God requested another census. When you compare the numbers you will observe interesting patterns. The numbers of each tribe in total had decreased by 1,820 fewer but seven tribes increased. Judah increased by 1,900, Issachar by 9,900, Zebulun by 3,100, Manasseh increased unusually by 20,500, Benjamin by 10,200, Dan by 1,700 and Asher by 11,900. Reuben had decreased by 2,770, Simeon decreased by 37,100, Gad by 5,150, Ephraim by 8,000 and Napthali by 8,000. Again we see the tribe of Joseph excelling this time through Manasseh.

It may be inferred that Simeon …called instruments of cruelty by Jacob and cursed to be scattered … is beginning to suffer the negative effects of his actions. Manasseh is becoming more and more prominent …rapidly increasing more than the others. The blessing for Joseph’s faithfulness manifests in unusual increase many generations in the future.

Are you tempted to cheat, or just take it easy on the mission field … or relax. Do not. The blessings of the future even unto generations unborn include a remarkable increase in all that concerns you and generations in your future. How can I make it clearer that God blesses into generations unborn for loyalty and faithfulness. Be an icon of faithfulness. You can make a good decision that will affect the destiny of your descendants….now. When they speak of you, they will say …Look, see how he has increased!

Song.

Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus

Daily let me go;

Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,

More of grace to know.

O deeper yet, I pray,

And higher every day,

And wiser, blessèd Lord,

In Thy precious, holy Word.

Deeper, deeper, blessèd Holy Spirit,

Take me deeper still,

Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,

And His perfect will.

Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,

Deeper let me go!

Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,

Let me fruitful grow.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, let my spiritual growth be evident to all. 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

Unusual Workers

Num 13:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, everyone a ruler among them. 3 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel. 4 And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. 5 Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 7 Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph. 8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun. 9 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu. 10 Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi. 11 Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Su.

Again we see when Moses required loyal workers to go and spy the land …Joseph had two workers …Joshua from the tribe of Ephraim and Gaddi from the tribe of Manasseh. Note that Caleb was from the tribe of Judah. The blessings on Joseph and Judah continue to cause these tribes to stand out. God’s favored will be unusual workers…faithful workers. A blessed and favored worker is unusually faithful. You recall that Joshua and Caleb stood out … the favor on the children of Joseph brings them to honor in leadership many generations after Joseph had died.

Do not imagine that Joseph’s reward ended in Egypt … many generations after it was Joshua of the tribe of Ephraim who brought them into the promised land and not Moses. The blessing of Jacob to bring the younger Ephraim ahead of Manasseh again manifests. God’s reward for faithful service can reach into many generations in future. God can also punish far into generations unborn. Surely, it pays to be faithful. Do you know many faithful and unusual workers are fruits of faithful ancestors who were unusually blessed and who pleased God at levels most did not care for?

To be favored as Joseph was implies greater demands of faithfulness and a greater grace to fulfill leadership responsibilities and be successful.

Song.

I will not doubt, I will not fear;

God’s love and strength are always near

His promised gift helps me to find

An inner strength and peace of mind.

I give the Father willingly my trust,

My prayers, humility.

His Spirit guides His love assures

That fear departs when faith endures.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, help me to stand out as a worker of unusual faithfulness. 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