Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 45

Favored to Fight

Num 1:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,2 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; 3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies … 5 And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur. … Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 7 Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab. Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar.9 Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon. 10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. … 16 These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.

Joseph emerged as the favorite of God – his two children elevated to be represented not as children of Joseph but as children of Jacob. This meant Joseph had a double portion. But this is not just to inherit lands but it is first to contribute frontline fighters to lead Israel in Battle. Of the senior warriors, the princes of war that followed Moses … able to go forth to war …the leaders of armies, Joseph provided twice what the others contributed.

Those favored by God will be made to face more foes and put in more dangerous assignments for Him. These are like Job, David, Daniel, John the disciple and Jesus. They will be at the forefront of satanic conflicts and will be called upon to give and do much more than the others. This is a privilege many saints will find difficult to understand. The tribe of Joseph are expected to contribute twice in war. Indeed they were also renowned but they were expected to be fighters. They will be on their guard …waiting for Moses to call upon them anytime. Can God count on you as His favorite to fight the tougher battles, face the demons that take longer to defeat and open new ground for him? Can He count on you to be faithful in tougher persecutions, to be consistent in more difficult trials. This is the lot of the favored. More is expected in times of warfare from them.

Observe also the qualities of fighters …not inexperienced, able to go forth to war, male (representing strength)…fit for war …none with bodily weakness, blindness, lameness or with diseases were considered. The Church is the known as the church militant. The favorites of God tend to be the prayer warriors who will pray much longer while others are permitted relative ease. If you study Numbers 1, you will observe that the descendants of Joseph were amongst the highest in representation at battle. Judah also had a high representation of warriors. These were unusually favored and blessed tribes.

Song.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus going on before.

Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;

Forward into battle see His banners go!

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;

On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!

Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;

Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, strengthen me to stand and fight for you – when others will fail 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

Is Ebola a Disease or a Demon?

Demonic activity will often manifest in some form of oppression or disability, even disease. But the question remains relevant as the virus travels across the oceans to Manhattan. Drug companies give some assurance that a vaccine would soon be ready and cure serums soon on the shelves.

Demonic activities tends to be more resilient. They thrive on godlessness and lifestyles that the Creator describes in His word – as sinful. We are in times, when we assume sin is limited to what we disapprove or can dislike – but we would be God if that were the case. Only a prayerful study of the word of God reveals to the broken heart what is or not sin.

Exo 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

John_10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The thief is the father of demons. He tells us that sin is funny, entertaining and should be accommodated while he works to steal, kill and destroy … with his army of carnage afflicting the undiscerning.

When Christ saw the man infirmed, He told him … John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

Jesus always connected infirmity with sin. Back on Ebola, do we then say there is more sin in West Africa where it is devouring the population? The answer to sin is Christ, who paid the price for our sin … the stripes on His back by which we were healed.

So many questions. But there are answers as well …for the Bible also says

Rom_5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Where there is more sin, there is also more grace. It is better news to shout that there is more grace in Africa … even when demonic activity advertises its work better on all the networks … and presidents take note with fright of the damage it can unleash. Few note the work of grace and how billions are preserved not because of any medical prowess.

Viruses cannot fight the finished work of Christ, nor can any plague stand where the blood of Christ has covered or where His light shines … they need to find cracks abiding in the nooks of our free thinking which have completely expelled the greater reality and healing power in godliness.

If Ebola is a disease, our drugs will soon turn it to history …if it were a demon, it will change forms and bring along many cousins and friends to torment those who have made the choice to come under the jurisdiction of the destroyer, Satan.

Zec_3:2  And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

May we be as His chosen brands plucked out by God, by His grace … out of the fire of sin and troubles. Amen

Moses and Joseph

Exo 13:19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.

Eighty years pass. Moses having spent 40 years in Egypt and 40 years in the wilderness is prepared as God’s servant for the deliverance of the children of Israel …as Abraham, Jacob and Joseph had said would happen. Eventually God’s mighty hand forces Pharaoh to release the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. Moses does not leave Egypt without carrying the bones of Joseph. The Red Sea parts before the bones of Joseph and his body is carried out of Egypt.

Do you know that God reciprocated this important kindness in the life of Moses by carrying the body of Moses. The Bible tells us God buried Moses. This important seed produced its harvest.

Deu 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

Do you know that there are many acts of kindness that appear useless, worthless and meaningless but count very much with God. Moses treasured the promises and ways of God and because he loved God. He knew he must obey Joseph’s commandment to have his body taken out of Egypt. When we seek instant gratification we miss great opportunities to serve God. When we take personal pains concerning divine instructions unnoticed and unrewarded by men …God registers it and does not forget. God does not forget unusual service of obedience…especially in a time when men will not appreciate strict obedience to divine commandments. God was so deeply committed to Joseph … even to his dried embalmed bones … the harvest of Joseph’s rare commitment to God.

God visited the children of Israel even though hundreds of years passed. All the prophecies of God concerning your life will be completely fulfilled. But ponder …what kind of harvest is waiting for me? Amen.

Song.

We reap what we sow…as we scatter the seed

On the ground of obedience of love

What men reward – God has already paid

But seeds of sacrifice that go unsung

Are seeds for GOD himself to nurture

What harvest is waiting for me – when the trumpet eventually sounds.

We reap what we sow … as we scatter the seed

The word of God looking for hearts

When men praise us – God has already paid

But the word that causes repentance and many lonely nights

Is the word GOD himself will nurture.

What harvest is waiting for me – when the trumpet eventually sounds

Prayer : Lord Jesus, Help me to sow good seeds only. 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

Crisis and Deliverance

Exo 1:13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor: 14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigor… 16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

A new beginning soon develops into what looks like a serious crisis. Joseph is in the grave …dead and forgotten. The multiply only to be bitterly envied … causing them to be afflicted. But God caused them to grow – even as affliction graduated into bitter and hard bondage and eventually murder of the sons. This is now crisis. But God strengthened the midwives to preserve the sons … but these were very difficult times … the children of Israel began to groan under the wicked bondage of Egypt.

But God heard their cries. Years later God sent Moses … prepared him, processed him and guided him to lead the children of Israel in a mighty deliverance out of Egypt. It seems for things to get better they must initially get worse and descend to crisis levels. For the Hebrews, death began to threaten all their sons. But deliverance was also near. I do not know how low you have gone and if things have suddenly gone from bad to worse. Death is now threatening as health problems and depression converge to attack your life. Christ is the deliverer. Sometimes things really go very bad before God steps in … He has already planned an awesome deliverance but the cup of the Amorites must be full. Wait on God. Soon Christ the Lord of Hosts will manifest a victory that will shock you. The cup of enemies of God in your life will soon fill up with their evils …God is about to say …enough. You are about to sing a song of victory. Things went very bad because the time to come out had come. The period close to delivery of a baby can be more painful as the unborn baby kicks. The pain and fears are at their peak at the verge of delivery. The announcement to murder the sons of Egypt coincided with the birth of Moses. The generation that will carry out the bones of Joseph are about to be born in a time when all male Hebrew babies are to be killed. The men that would carry the bones of Joseph would all have been murdered as babies …The victories of God are awesome … wait for it.

Song.

Victory, victory Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah

Victory, victory Hallelujah

Jesus conquered the devil completely

He has given us victory I will lift Him higher Jehovah

I will lift Him higher.

He has given us victory I will lift Him higher Jehovah

I will lift Him higher.

Victory, victory Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah

Victory, victory Hallelujah

Jesus conquered the devil completely

He can never never fail

He can never never fail

He can never never fail

Jesus the same for ever

Prayer : Lord Jesus, Show me your awesome unfailing victories again and again. 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

Unstoppable Growth

Exo 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

Affliction did not stop the children of Israel. Instead, it made them even more productive. Only God’s people increase and become stronger even with more affliction. The blessings of Jacob have produced an unstoppable race.

Affliction can be helpful. Have you not noticed the fruits of the spirit manifesting more …you have learnt patience, love and meekness not in the class room but in ovens of affliction. It is a supreme proof to recognize true children of God … they blossom in afflictions. But affliction is also to be borne only for a short while.

Egypt we read was also grieved because of the children of Israel. Though the Israelites were unstoppable in growth – the hatred and envy of Egypt was equally unstoppable. It also grew. Is it not interesting to see grace and wickedness growing side by side? Sometimes we have a mixture of those growing and those grieving … often only God can separate the wheat from tares. You are a child of God destined to grow … and manifesting the fruits of the Holy Spirit is the sign of this growth. Affliction and pain may be the trigger to greater joy. God truly works in mysterious ways.

Song.

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;

To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,

Our God ever yearns His resources to share;

Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;

The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again

Prayer : Lord Jesus, Multiply peace, grace, love, patience and kindness 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 Devil’s Wisdom

Exo 1:10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. 11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.

It is worth studying the wisdom of Egypt to stop the multiplication of Israel. The fear of Pharaoh was that they could form an alliance with enemies of Egypt to drive them out. Pharaoh decided to afflict them with burdens and appoint task masters to keep them discouraged, weak and exhausted. A people who are discouraged, burdened and tired – bound under wicked task masters will eventually be hindered in productivity and fruitfulness. The enemy uses the same approach today …and has different task masters on his employment …Some even sneak into the church. These task masters place burdens on the people of God to keep them discouraged, barren and eventually unproductive. These “mega ministries”, “multinationals” etc. are the modern day cities of Pharaoh. The wisdom of its captains targets the arrest of true spiritual growth …exhausting membership in ceaseless activity.

Ponder over this and be watchful. The wisdom of Pharaoh is to set them on assignments to build “treasure cities” … Being prayerful and sober, knowing the will of God and guarding our hearts helps us to resist the wisdom of hell. You will prevail over the devil’s wisdom.

Song.

Strange and mysterious is my life,

What opposites I feel within!

A stable peace, a constant strife,

The rule of grace, the pow’r of sin:

Too often I am captive led,

Yet daily triumph in my Head.

I prize the privilege of prayer,

But o! what backwardness to pray!

Though on the Lord I cast my care,

I feel its burden every day:

I seek his will in all I do,

Yet find my own is working too.

I call the promises my own,

And prize them more than mines of gold;

Yet though their sweetness I have known,

They leave me unimpressed and cold

One hour upon the truth I feed,

The next I know not what I read.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, Help me to be watchful and to pray …finding God’s will in all situations. 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

Enemy Observations

Exo 1:9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:



This was an awesome testimony …but it was also a dangerous one. It is good to be envied …but it can be dangerous. Being successful, talented and prominent can attract observations that will soon be suffocated with envy. God must hide us sometimes and not bring us out too quickly until He is ready to work even through the envy of men to promote us. God caused the children of Israel to overtake the Egyptians because he knew this was the way to trigger a phase of persecution that will lead to a mighty deliverance that will end with the armies of Egypt drowned.

Prosperity and blessings cannot be hidden from men … In Christ we are more than conquerors …but as you conquer soon you will begin to hear the comments of men setting you up. Pharaoh needed the support of his people to oppress the Israelites. Every success needs help. Hide and commit all your successes in Him and pray that God prospers His purpose and not ours. It is highly dangerous to assume control once successful. This is very much like entering a dragon’s den defended only with a pen knife.

David after his success over Goliath soon found himself the target of the reigning monarch. It suddenly became hot …but God saw David through. Be strong. He will also see you through … go to your knees.

Let God be your hiding place.

Song.

In the warfare that is raging

For the truth and for the right,

When the conflict fierce is raging

With the powers of the night,

God needs people brave and true;

May He then depend on you?

Refrain

May the Lord depend on you?

Loyalty is but His due;

Say, O spirit brave and true,

That He may depend on you!

See, they come on sable pinions,

Come in strong Satanic might,

Powers come and dark dominions

From the regions of the night.

God requires the brave and true;

May He then depend on you?

Prayer : Lord Jesus, Hide me always in the shadow of your wings … fill my heart with songs of deliverance. 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

Contrary Winds

Exo 1:8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

Troubles can also come in different new forms. Past victories can be suddenly made irrelevant, the situation can change but God cannot change. Our friends and supporters can change but God cannot change. Our benefactors can change but God remains the same. We cannot place our trust and hopes on mortal flesh.

Jer 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD

Our hope cannot be in man. There is no man that we can rest our hopes on. Men even the best are mortal and things can change after their death. Joseph was a good man who did everything possible to ensure everything was in place to favor generations after him …but he died like all men must die. Situations can suddenly change for the better or for the worse. We are not told the children of Israel sinned …it seems good winds and ill winds blow on all. The difference is that we have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll …fastened. A different wind was about to blow … it was going to be a contrary wind …but again this ill wind would usher in an awesome deliverance that had been predicted four hundred years ago. Have you seen a sign that things are not what you expected? Be not dismayed …wait on God … and see His awesome greatest deliverance disguised as the beginning of sorrows.

Song.

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,

Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul

Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,

Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,

For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;

And the cables, passed from His heart to mine,

Can defy that blast, thro’ strength divine.

It will surely hold in the Straits of Fear—

When the breakers have told that the reef is near;

Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,

Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.

It will firmly hold in the Floods of Death—-

When the waters cold chill our latest breath,

On the rising tide it can never fail,

While our hopes abide within the Veil.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, keep me anchored to you at all times. 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

A New Beginning

Exo 1:1 Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. 5 And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. 6 And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

Beginnings tend to be deceptive. They could like the end has come …beginnings sometimes resemble endings and we need to look closer to see fresh starts when your senses observe only sad closures. The book of Exodus starts with an account of the number that entered Egypt. God is concerned about details, the Bible says even the strands of hair is numbered to God. God does not miss any detail. The entire generation of 70 souls died.

Deu 1:11 (The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!)

The Lord can multiply that which is placed obediently in His hand. The Children of Israel multiplied and they became renowned and influential. I believe God can take that ministry, that vision …that business concept …whatever seems to be starting in death is about to suddenly explode in fantastic multiplication and growth. Just remain in His purpose … do not stray from where He has positioned you. Take your eyes off the corpse of Joseph and look to His God. What looks like the end is really a blessed new beginning. A nation cannot be a nation if the citizens are few. The nation of Israel is incubated (not in Canaan) …becomes a people in the least likely place … in Egypt. God wants you to know that He is unlimited by location … only your disobedience frustrates your destiny. Be still in Him. Soon all that pertains to you will be a thousand times more.

Song.

O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne – Thy saints have dwelt secure;

Sufficient is Thine arm alone, And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame,

From everlasting Thou art God, To endless years the same.

Thy Word commands our flesh to dust, “Return, ye sons of men:”

All nations rose from earth at first, And turn to earth again.

A thousand ages in Thy sight – Are like an evening gone;

Short as the watch that ends the night – Before the rising sun.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, be our security, our help and shield in all situations. 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

Embalmed

Gen 50:26 So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

It does not matter where life and circumstances have put you. You will still be brought out. It might be years later, your situation may have become like dried and flaky bones … you will still be brought out. They put Christ in the grave and found a huge stone to make it impossible for him to come out …but the Holy Spirit is unstoppable. Not even by death. The dried bones of joseph would still one day be carried through the Dead Sea … after a mighty victory over all of Pharaoh’s resistance.

I want the reader to reflect on how God can overcome extremely unlikely odds to still achieve his purpose. Death, embalmment and Egypt cooperated to keep Joseph down … but one day He was brought up. It does not matter how many generations would pass …and that it would be about 400 years later …Time cannot stop the promises of God. It is never too late.

Be encouraged if hopes seem dead and buried … for Lazarus, his body had already started stinking …for Jesus it was after three days … for Joseph – it was generations after. Egypt will never be your home for there is no rest in Egypt – symbolizing worldliness. But there is a place of rest. God enjoys demonstrating His power over everything the world will call impossible …whatever the world has closed its file on …God will open up …in His appointed time. A day was coming when that coffin would be disturbed … and a day was coming when Joseph will come out. Death is not the end for the pilgrim … instead it is the beginning of a glorious transition. Your trouble is not the end. It seems over but it is really a new beginning in disguise. Even the dead rise. Hallelujah

Song.

It’s not over. I’m coming out

Nothing can stop me … not even the grave

The bones may dry up … people may forget

But it’s not over … the Spirit is moving

Soon the Red Sea must part

To remind all that nothing – absolutely nothing

Can stop what the Lord brings out.

Not even a coffin or centuries in a sealed grave

Will stop my rising again.

It’s only a new beginning waiting to start.

Prayer : Lord Jesus, in you mercy … let your love keep and guide me through the final journey back home.

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