Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 53

All is Vanity

Gen 47:20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh’s.

What are the things that count with God? Why are possessions so important to some? How must we behave concerning earthly possessions when God can commit them into the hand of the enemy? I often wonder, if I could hand over something to my enemy, it tells me that it is really not so important. It is not worth clinging to or it means I have something else far more precious than what has been given. A Christian that has not understood that all that the world offers is vanity and can be released to whoever God wishes … has not understood that the brothers of Joseph were in a far superior position. A position of being cared for by God. It does not matter where the money and lands are and who owns what … if we are in the “Goshen” of God – then we have it all.

The land can belong to Pharaoh but it is Joseph the instrument of God that directs and manages all that was in the hand of Pharaoh. Jesus told the disciples to go to the mouth of a fish and found a coin …He knows where the money is kept, because He directed all the flows. But when asked about taxes, Jesus said give unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. What are the things that belong to God … His own, His children….our hearts, our soul.

Many are trying to give God money and the things that God has no use for that belong to men, while they give their hearts to mammon as they cheat and scheme to gather more. Ask yourself, will that which I am clinging to help me in eternity? Will it be more useful to me in the far more significant periods … the eternal dispensation of my existence or will it count in the 100 or so years on earth? The answer to that question will help me see that which we can release freely and that which we cannot afford to lose.

The brothers of Joseph had an identity that guaranteed them the best in Egypt …everything else was vanity. The Egyptians soon ran out of all their possessions and now needed the mercy that only Joseph could dispense. Do not waste a precious minute. Meditate on these truths and see that a life with a heart not given to Christ is vain even when we have great riches. There will be day at the doorway of eternity that the rich man without Christ will have absolutely nothing and must face a hard judgment. Come to Jesus today.

Surely every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches and knows not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in You. Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.” Psalm 39:6-8

Song.

What profit all the labor here

There’s nothing new for you and me!

Remember not the former things

They are all vanity.

Prayer: Lord, let my heart no more be set on that which is vain. Remembering not the former things. 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

You are Loved

The Holy Spirit descended upon Christ and His first message was an assurance of love …not instructions, not power, not a demonstration of miracles … not great and hidden wisdom …but the love of God. Jesus hears God confirm that He is the beloved of God

Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: :17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

“The Holy Spirit as a Divine Helper rekindles hope (Romans 15:13). It is therefore, time for the hopeless to abound again in hope. Because hope makes not ashamed (Romans 5:5), we are trusting God that through this convention, shame will be terminated where found in our lives. The barren shall shall be helped and they shall become fruitful, the sick and the afflicted shall obtain help and shall be healed, help will flow in the direction of the bound and they shall be set free, the forgotten shall be remembered at last, every good thing that might have died in our lives shall come alive again, there shall be uncommon signs and wonders. They shall all be divinely helped.” says Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God.

I was pondering over the lyrics of Josh Groban’s song “ You are loved … which so inspiringly declares …

Everybody wants to be understood …Well I can hear you

Everybody wants to be loved …Don’t give up

Because you are loved.

Click here to view the embedded video.

As the ministry of Christ began, He will begin to teach many things that even today thousands of years later, many still do not understand. He would be despised by men, rejected of men …only to be spat upon and crucified. But He will always remember these important words of the Spirit of God …”This is my Beloved Son…” and these words will burn in His soul as He stood before Pilate, as Judas betrayed Him, as Peter denied Him … as the mob rushed to attack Him. He will remember that God hears all His prayers and loves Him. How I pray someone will be blessed and encouraged by the Holy Spirit not to give up on God. You are loved in spite of all you may see or think. Do not fear Ebola … you are sheltered and loved.

Receive the ministration and blessed assurance of the Holy Spirit at The 62nd annual convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria, themed  “The Holy Spirit” … the Special Holy Ghost service will be streamed live.  The special service begins at 7pm GMT  Tune in and be blessed.

God bless you. You are loved. Come and experience that love.  Amen

Buy Us and Our Land

Gen 47:19 Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.

Without Christ … everything is useless and ultimately worthless. There is a day when all will discover this, but for some it will be too late. There are two categories of people – the brothers of Joseph for which a price has been paid and others who cannot afford their own salvation – even with their own lives and lands. The price of our salvation was not cheap. It cost God the blood of His only begotten son.

This is a day to appreciate the great salvation bought at an expensive price … no measure of silver or gold could have paid for the precious salvation of God. It is good to be thankful, but when a great act of help is given to the undeserving, we should be even more appreciative … How could we ever thank God enough for His love … will any song composed ever suffice to appreciate him? Will any shout of hallelujah convey the greatness of His works and to express the glory that words fail to describe.

Israel should be full of appreciation for Joseph. There will not be another Joseph. There is no other way to salvation, there is no other offering for sin … no price that any can ever pay for salvation than has already been paid by Jesus. Who else can pay such a price?

We have seen many men of honor – ready to offer their very own lives for their salvation and the salvation of others …but this is vain …for no other sacrifice has been appointed. Many have made very noble declarations but every religion that denies the already completed work of Christ is vanity.

Why are you still trying to strike a deal with God when a deal has already been done …all that is required is your surrender . Give your life to Jesus today and enjoy the difference. Commit all that is yours to Him and experience His generous arrangements in the Goshen set aside for you. There is no other deal but that which Christ struck at the Cross of Calvary, no other way … it does not matter what you offer for salvation … it will not be enough. This should spur you to spread the gospel … It is a gospel of great grace. So much is freely provided.

Song.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,

To added affliction He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

His love has no limit, 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.

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.

Prayer: Lord, reveal the greatness and extent of your grace. Help me to tell of this abundant grace to 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

Eye on the Sparrow

Gen 47:18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:

The plight of Egypt in the time of famine is sad. Egypt has given all they have to Joseph, but that is not enough … and the famine is still many years. The substance we have gathered will not be enough for that which we need the most …our salvation. All the gold, silver and assets could not pay for the salvation of man. How true it is that all we have gathered and given will still one day prove not enough. The brothers of Joseph did not need to gather anything. They did not need money for food. They were provided for by Joseph.

When we understand the difference …we can position our lives … are we Christians or are we unrelated to Christ? Those who are Christ’s need not gather … are not driven by acquisitions nor do they fear for survival. They know that they will be cared for even without spending what they have.

God provides for His own … if only we could rest in the great truth that we are His. Indeed our savings, assets and what we have can be useful …but they are not always relevant to God’s plan of provision. The heathen gather for fear that they will need all their acquisitions only to discover that health, peace and joy are not for sale …though we deplete all our accounts searching for them.

Today is a good day to meditate on the following scriptures … are you like the brothers of Joseph in Egypt or like the magicians and other Egyptians bewitched and bewitching others …but ever worried over their means of survival and currency of exchange … Lord, help our faith.

Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Song.

I sing because I’m happy – I sing because I’m free

His eye is on the sparrow – and I know He watches me

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

Prayer: Lord, Teach me to trust and lean on your everlasting arms. 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 Exchange

Gen 47:16 And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail. 17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.

The value of the word of God in our hearts, on our lips and in our churches cannot be overestimated. One day, the true value of the word of God will be seen. One day, the wisdom of Heaven will have its place above all that the earth cherishes and millions will be given to have it …but it will not be enough to pay for it. The men of Egypt have exhausted their funds and now give all their cattle, horses and flocks so they will be fed with bread. Why did they not eat the cattle?

Bread has a significance beyond plain dietary matters. It points to the word of God and the truths that can sustain us. Observe the difference in what the brothers had to do to receive bread and what Egypt did. The Egyptians had to exchange all their cattle, wealth and means of survival so that they could have bread – while the brothers of Joseph simply enjoyed it in Goshen. The purpose of occupations is to glorify God and not to survive. The brothers of Joseph supervised the herds and ruled over the livestock operations but did not require wages for food… they received princely rations freely

Today, the world seeks wisdom and sustenance and works hard in many occupations to procure health, peace, provision and luxuries … only to discover that when they come to Christ – they see that all these have all been freely given.

Remember Peter who fished all night but caught nothing until directed by Christ … and then finding a net-breaking haul … but only to come to the shore to find a meal of fish already prepared. The Bible says God has prepared a table before us in the presence of our enemies – meaning all things are ready and freely given while others must strive. This does not mean that God wants His children to be slothful, but He does not want us to depend on our occupation or herds of cattle. Our source is Jesus -who controls all and has promised to give us all things freely – even as He has freely been given as a sacrifice for us. Today, ask yourself what you are working for … to survive or to glorify God. Today ask if you are receiving the bread of life, the true bread of Heaven … freely given as we trust in the living word – Jesus Christ or are we drifting seeking something else, or desiring other sources of wisdom and survival.

Song.

I hunger and I thirst; Jesus, my manna be:

ye living waters, burst – out of the rock for me.

Thou bruised and broken Bread, my life-long wants supply;

as living souls are fed, O feed me, or I die.

Thou true life-giving Vine, let me thy sweetness prove;

renew my life with thine, refresh my soul with love.

Rough paths my feet have trod, since first their course began;

feed me, thou Bread of God; help me, thou Son of Man.

For still the desert lies my thirsting soul before;

O living waters, rise – within me evermore.

Prayer: Lord, I hunger and thirst for your presence – fill my thirst and hungry soul with yourself. 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 Failure of Money

Gen 47:15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.

Money can be useful, but we cannot set our hearts on money for it can and will fail. A few have discovered that money can and will fail but many are yet to understand this truth. Do you see that the children of Israel were immune from this failure, because they relied on their kinship to Joseph and not on the money that they had. The Egyptians had to relate to Joseph based on the money they had …it is no wonder that Egyptians must gather as much as they can for they will need it for what God wants to give them – even for free. The brothers of Joseph had no money but had the best simply because they were related to Joseph.

There are two financial dispensations at work. The one that is based on money for survival … that is driven by inflation and the harsh economic rules of demand and supply – but which is doomed to failure as we already have occasionally seen in great depressions. The other is based on being in the family – our identity as God’s chosen brethren. This dispensation enjoys the best – but for free (only because Joseph has paid the price)

Money fails, but our faith in God never fails. Money fails but our relationship to Christ never fails. Money fails but Joseph’s provisions never fails. Mammon wants us to focus on money and serve him instead of God … he presents money as a sure insurance and a firm foundation but this is a deception. The truth is that money is a resource that is doomed and to a destiny of ultimate failure. Make it, gather as God enables you – but do not set your heart on it. Be always ready to release it as God demands. It is unfortunate that people do all things – even marry for money and go to such great lengths to obtain it.

Songs.

Take the world, but give me Jesus, All its joys are but a name;

But His love abideth ever, Through eternal years the same.

Refrain: Oh, the height and depth of mercy! Oh, the length and breadth of love!Oh, the fullness of redemption, Pledge of endless life above!

Take the world, but give me Jesus, Sweetest comfort of my soul;

With my Savior watching o’er me, I can sing though billows roll.

Take the world, but give me Jesus, Let me view His constant smile;

Then throughout my pilgrim journey – Light will cheer me all the while.

Take the world, but give me Jesus. In His cross my trust shall be,

Till, with clearer, brighter vision, Face to face my Lord I see.

You can never never fail 3ce – Jesus the same forever. (Chorus)

The Rock that never fails, let me hide in you – In You there is power (Chorus)

Prayer: Lord, Let my heart be set on you, my foundation – the Rock, that never fails. 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 Vanity of Riches

Gen 47:14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.

Even Pharaoh serves ultimately the purpose of God. These are times when all that has been gathered bows to God, honors God either in service, judgment or in worship. God will ultimately do as He pleases – He proves that He reigns over everything …even money.

Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in Heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

What is the point of gathering against the will and purpose of Him who will control it all – eventually. Many serve mammon as though mammon can challenge the reign of God. The worship of money is vain as Christ controls all the substance of the earth and the kingdoms bow to His purpose now and forever until He chooses to come and judge and burn up the vanity.

It is confusing that Joseph gathers money to Pharaoh …but Pharaoh serves God … in a sense that all of creation serves God – even Satan, has a purpose that he cannot deviate from. There is a purpose to the gathering and that purpose is known to God. It is a delusion that any plan to make money will hurt God … the one who is able to gather everything to His glory – when He so desires. Many seek to make money outside God’s ways – through evil and wickedness … only to see God gather those funds out of their hands into a process that will honor God – using whoever He wills, including Pharaoh. Another vanity is to think you can retain riches when God commands an outflow. God can cause the entire universe to release all it has gathered to Him – whether gathered righteously or not. But only the righteous will reign with Him. Pharaoh may be a gathering point – but it is Joseph that truly rules.

In summary, make Jesus your business partner. Let Him be the manager and inspiration of all your financial deals… get to know Him even on money matters. Begin to see Him reign and rule over your money …walk with Him in your finances. Enjoy the benefits – similar to what the brothers of Joseph enjoyed as God rules over all the resources. Did He not say …The silver is mine, the gold is mine.

Song.

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands; I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Refrain: Than to be the king of a vast domain – And be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything – This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame; I’d rather be true to His holy name

Prayer: Lord, Do not permit money take the place that belongs to you in my heart. 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

Raised to Shine (Part 11)

Gen 47:13 And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine..

Famine is a type of darkness and we have been called to shine. But how do we shine. We do not shine at the expense of others or by pulling others down. Rather we are like the stars in the sky, we shine and allow others to shine as well. We are not bullies nor do we compel others to notice us. Instead we simply glow and the darkness must recognize our light.

Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Other things mentioned by Paul on how Christians are to shine include 1. Our obedience to God is higher and even more in the absence of supervision and any recognition. 2. We are hardworking to guard our salvation and being cautious not to sacrifice our faith in exchange for lucre or medals. 3. We do all things without murmurings and disputing. 4. We live lives that are blameless and harmless to others …we can be trusted in the midst of crookedness and perverseness.

Are we shining in the famine or complaining? Have we done as Paul advises so that we shine as lights in the world? Reflect on these things and remember we are born in Christ to shine. Jesus is the ultimate light of the world …we can also learn of Him and of how He shines.

Song.

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;

The Light of the world is Jesus!

Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in;

The Light of the world is Jesus!

No darkness have we who in Jesus abide;

The Light of the world is Jesus!

We walk in the Light when we follow our Guide;

The Light of the world is Jesus!

Ye dwellers in darkness, with sinblinded eyes,

The Light of the world is Jesus!

Go, wash at His bidding, and light will arise;

The Light of the world is Jesus!

No need of the sunlight in Heaven, we’re told;

The Light of the world is Jesus!

The Lamb is the Light in the city of gold;

The Light of the world is Jesus!

Prayer: Lord, You have raised me up for the times of famines. Help me to sow my life … shining in the worst of famines. 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

Raised to Shine Part 1

Gen 47:13 And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine..

Stars require darkness to shine. Light is not appreciated without darkness. The value and taste of Christianity is concealed when there is no confusion and turmoil. The destiny of Joseph and his family was to be raised to shine and distribute sustenance in a period of lack. The challenges that the world faces … the dearth of truth and the strange famines, recessions and crisis in churches, homes, governments are only opportunities for God’s children to be raised to shine.

We are not amongst those who murmur and complain or analyze darkness. Instead, we see the rare opportunities to demonstrate a peculiar people … called to show forth the glory of God in any circumstances. In Egypt and in Canaan, there is a famine … and all faint. In the community and even in the congregations – there is a dearth …there is a fainting. But there is also a peculiar people shining – raised to glow at the worst of times. It is the worst of times that prove our true identity. It is the worst of civilization and the corruptions of the culture that prove the power of God. It is the lack, the famine of joys that helps the chosen to locate the salvation of God.

You have been raised to shine in the darkness, to glow in the confusion, to bring clarity to blurred vision …to bring order in a rebellious culture. Do not be like the others who only question the issues, instead be part of the answer, the solution that people are seeking. They come to you because there is something you carry that they need – it is Christ that you carry that makes you different – sought out and desired.

Arise and shine – do not be surprised at the darkness – instead simply glow and enjoy the difference that carrying Christ makes. The Bible says Isaac sowed in the time of a terrible famine … but the people of God want to gather … No…this is time to sow in the life of others, sow in the kingdom …sow to bless someone. Soon you will receive like never before.

Gen 26:12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

Song.

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness, Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;

Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Refrain

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows, Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;

By and by the harvest, and the labor ended, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master, Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;

When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Prayer: Lord, You have raised me up for the times of famines. Help me to sow my life … shining in the worst of famines. 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

Jesus – the Nourisher

Gen 47:11 And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. Gen 47:12 And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.

There are important details in this story. First we see that it is Joseph that places, that gives them a possession, that nourishes the family according to what was commanded. Jesus is indeed a great provider. He nourishes like no one can … but His work of provision is neither random nor indiscriminate. Jesus knows His own. He knows His family. He recognizes His brother. He knows His household. It may take a while, but eventually, He will provide for His own. We sometimes feel we can continue to enjoy being a wolf but in sheep’s clothing – we can carry titles and say the words but in our hearts we are the same, unchanged and deceptive. We pretend that we have forgiven, we act as though we know God and can even claim that God has blessed when He has not. Indeed, men may bless but when God blesses He does not make mistakes … He is not fooled. Jesus like Joseph can distinguish between His own and the others He must provide for. There is a general providence but there is also a special care.

If you are not being nourished by His word. If you have not encountered Him as the great provider. If you have not seen His best, we should ask ourselves first … are we truly His? But then you will say that there are people who are not rich and appear to have needs but belong to God. Indeed, but they must know the nourishment of the soul, the spiritual positioning that is the best of God – above principalities and powers …they must have tasted the bread of Heaven – the satisfaction that comes from the living word of God. This may not always translate to visible substance in situations when God knows in His infinite wisdom, He will not be glorified. God has a better plan, always. Meditate on the truth that Jesus nourishes. He keeps His own. He comes through to help – sometimes at the last minute and is ever faithful. But He can separate between deceivers and His – when others are confused – He is not. Those that are His will obey His commandments. Those that are His will love His laws. Those that are His will honor Him and will flee from sin. Those that are His are His friends they are His household. These are not those who spend only a few minutes in His presence and can’t wait to get on to something else. These are not those who love God only in His words but do not sense a kinship … a blood relationship. Have you seen the way a close family behave – the love and oneness that exists between true brothers and sisters? Be assured – Jesus will nourish all that are His.

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, o’er 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, Thank you for the blessed assurance of your provision and nourishment. 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