Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 56

Signs and Wonders

Gen 45:27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived.

Preaching the gospel without God’s signs and wonders following can make the great news of God sound to hearers like another myth. It is true that when the power of God is demonstrated in signs and wonders, this makes a difference to faith and hearts are revived. When we see the ten plagues of Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea and ask why did God do these things? It was not so that Pharaoh would release the children of Israel …indeed God actually hardened Pharaoh’s heart not to allow the freedom of the children of Israel until the appointed time. It was to revive the Israelites. The great display of signs such as the ten plagues of Egypt was to demonstrate to the Israelites – the greatness of their God. For many years they had seen the greatness of Egyptian witchcraft, God needed to show them the unsurpassed might of the great I AM. When signs and wonders demonstrate the power of God …it is easier for the chosen of God to surrender to Him. Jacob was revived as he saw the miracle of God’s providence hidden over the years but working so powerfully to bring the expected end to pass. I pray for a time of God’s power in the nations, for a time of great signs and wonders that millions will come to know of the Lord. I pray many that have backslidden will come home when they see again the power of God.

Song.

Great God of wonders! all Thy ways

Are matchless, Godlike, and divine;

But the bright glories of Thy grace

Above thine other wonders shine,

Above thine other wonders shine.

Who is a pard’ning God like Thee?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

Such deep transgressions to forgive!

Such guilty sinners thus to spare!

This is Thy grand prerogative,

And in this honor none shall share;

And in this honor none shall share.

In wonder lost, with trembling joy,

We take the pardon of our God:

Pardon for crimes of deepest dye,

A pardon bought with Jesus’ blood,

A pardon bought with Jesus’ blood.

O may this glorious, matchless love,

This God-like miracle of grace,

Teach mortal tongues, like those above,

To raise this song of lofty praise,

To raise this song of lofty praise

Prayer: Lord, May that happy day that wipes away all previous days come. 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

Unbelievable but True.

Gen 45:26 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.

The news is brought to Jacob. Already weary with fears and further weakened with hunger. When he hears the story of his sons, indeed the great former trickster can only see that this is another deception – knowing what his sons are capable of. Instead his heart faints and he sinks further into grief wondering why would his sons chose to remind him of Joseph at this vulnerable moment.

Someone reading this devotional has completely written off a situation as absolutely hopeless and only remembers in great grief. But God has completely transformed the situation to beyond what you can ever believe possible. The works of God continue to be astonishing to men … unbelievable and amazing. Everyone knew that the tent dwelling Israelites were an abomination to the Egyptians … how then, this story that Joseph is not just alive but governor over Egypt. His sons were sent to buy food … Jacob was more interested to see the provisions that will sustain them for a few months or so …not even knowing that there were still five more years of famine. Jacob had even forgotten the dreams of Joseph and was having no expectation to ever see Joseph alive.

Like Thomas, Jacob will need to see the evidence. Meanwhile his heart sank, his mind confused … his hopes at its lowest ebb. But none of this stops God. Jacob is self-deceived by his feelings – but God has already gone beyond his illusions to bring a glorious testimony into reality for him.

Do not give up on God. God is not man. Let your heart not faint. The revival you long to see, you will still see. Jesus is alive and well at work. His Spirit of Revival has not been chained by any. The lies that His church is dead is still debunked by awesome moves of God. Perhaps you have been convinced by your past that you will not see Christ. It seems He is a dead relic, a painting, a story that modern thinkers have mocked and you seem to have lost your once living hope. Do not abandon the hope to see your Savior’s face … to see His revivals in your Church. O hope of glory do not depart from my life.

Song.

Hope, as an anchor so steadfast, rends the dark veil for the soul

Whither the Master has entered, Robbing the grave of its goal;

Come then, O come glad fruition, Come to my sad weary heart;

Come, O Thou blest hope of glory,

Never, o never depart.

Whispering hope,

O how welcome thy voice,

Making my heart in it sorrow rejoice.

Prayer: Lord, Blessed Hope of glory. May you never depart from 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

Good News

Gen 45:26 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.

The word of God … the gospel of Christ is good news. If it does not sound like good news to you, then it is not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If it leaves a sour taste, then this may be your pastor’s personal thoughts but not the gospel of Christ. The message of salvation is unbelievably good. The mercy and grace in the salvation of Christ is not just good but should sound too good to be true. But the Holy Spirit draws the elect to believe that indeed this is true.

Many have heard a gospel that speaks of a hell that scares the believer … but indeed Jacob is preserved from hunger and death in a famine but the more exciting news is that Joseph is alive. Like Jesus who resurrected from the grave and is alive to make intercession for us in the presence of God. All who believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. It sounds too simple to just expect that everything is suddenly going to be fine for Jacob after years of a tormenting grief and deepest sorrow. Nights in which Jacob cried unceasingly …months of sighing and quiet sorrowing and regretting … if only I had not sent Joseph out on that day …if only this and if only that. And then this news that all is well. I agree with a pastor who once taught that if you are hearing a gospel that sounds weak and you do not get the feeling of a gift that is too good and merciful to be true … then it is perhaps not the gospel and it is time to find another church where the good news is preached. But the good news is Christ and faith in His word and not psychology and motivational speeches of men. Jacob heard the news that Joseph was not just alive (that would have been good enough) but that he was also Governor of perhaps the greatest nation of that time …Jacob was already weak from grief, fear and old age … saddened and praying to God to take him home for everyday was an extension of grieving. This news sounded like a cruel joke …such that he fainted. Have you heard the gospel of Christ. It is good news …too good to be true….you could say but I tell you, the gospel is true. Jesus loves you and invites you to come to him for salvation.

Song.

Sinners Jesus will receive; Sound this word of grace to all

Who the heav’nly pathway leave, All who linger, all who fall!

Sing it o’er and o’er again: Christ receiveth sinful men;

Make the message clear and plain: Christ receiveth sinful men.

Come, and He will give you rest; Trust Him, for His Word is plain;

He will take the sinfullest; Christ receiveth sinful men.

Now my heart condemns me not; Pure before the law I stand;

He who cleansed me from all spot satisfied its last demand.

Christ receiveth sinful men, Even me with all my sin;

Purged from ev’ry spot and stain, Heav’n with Him I enter in.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, draw your own to Christ as ways are made for the gospel to be heard in the nations. 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

Up to Canaan.

Gen 45:21 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. 22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. 23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way. 24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way. 25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father.

Everywhere the Bible speaks of Egypt it says “come down”… but when it speaks of Israel it says “go up”. This is strange as Israel is geographically south of Egypt. Also the leaving of Egypt is with spoil … this happened again in Exodus. I sense that all wealth belongs to God, but the true heirs to this wealth have been robbed by deceptions that lure them into disobedience. The main purpose of this wealth is to comfort Jacob their father … perhaps the unhappiest soul in this saga. Wealth always has purpose … do not ever be deluded to think wealth is for selfish consumption. Jacob was old, tired and despondent … in a chronic depression and inconsolable state. How will he be convinced that God had not forsaken His covenant?

Joseph understands that prosperity is to be used to serve God. The giving and spending of wealth in our hands tells a lot of our true identity as children of God. Note the brothers are convinced but will Jacob believe this is a trick and follow them … not until he sees the camels.

The blessings of God have purpose. Do not seek for idle blessings. These are the sorts of riches that cause pain and sorrow. Indeed it is enough that Jacob is convinced that Joseph is alive. No money or riches will ever be able to provoke the great joy that is ahead of him.

Journeys out of Egypt are times of glorious transitions. There is a final journey to the Heavenly Canaan to be one with our Heavenly Father. Will you be among those making the journey? Will you have souls and a service that can be presented to the Father or will you be empty handed? Indeed all sorrow in the house of Jacob is soon to be over.

Song.

I shall wear a golden crown, When I get home; I shall lay my burdens down, When I get home;

Clad in robes of glory, I shall sing the story Of the Lord who bought me, When I get home.

When I get home, when I get home, All sorrow will be over when I get home;

When I get home, when I get home, All sorrow will be over when I get home.

All the darkness will be past, When I get home; I shall see the light at last, When I get home;

Light from Heaven streaming, O’er my pathway beaming, Ever guides me onward, Till I get home

Prayer: Lord, In the final journey up to the Heavenly Canaan, do not let me be left behind. 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 First Exodus

Gen 45:21 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. 22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. 23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way. 24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way. 25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father.

There will be many great trips out of Egypt. Notably three are worth mentioning because they occurred with much fanfare. . The first was this trip to escort the brothers to bring Jacob and the family of Israel to Egypt. The second was the burial of Jacob …which was also with a great procession and the third worth mentioning was several centuries later when Moses led the Children of Israel out of Egypt. God used this trips to bless the children of Israel as all entailed much transfer of the wealth of Egypt to the Hebrews. The final Exodus, a picture of salvation, involved a great spoiling of Egypt. There is still the ultimate Exodus from Egypt – the coming rapture of the saints… escape from the earthbound suit for a heavenly body.

It is the way of God to often transfer resources to the hands of His covenant children to establish His covenant. These are often voluntary transfers and gifts that finance His purposes. The wealth of the wicked is often laid up for the just. But this is not a covetousness or a robbery of Egypt … but in all trips out of Egypt, we read that voluntary deposits of great substance …asses laden with all the good things of Egypt. God was building a consciousness of prosperity in the minds of His own … a prosperity that will be stewarded someday to ensure that the gospel goes around the entire world.

Reflect on this devotional. Consider wealth that God has graciously permitted to be legitimately transferred to you. How are you stewarding that wealth? Is that wealth playing its part in the financing of the final harvest.

Song.

Come, ye thankful people, come,

Raise the song of harvest home;

All is safely gathered in,

Ere the winter storms begin.

God our Maker doth provide

For our wants to be supplied;

Come to God’s own temple, come,

Raise the song of harvest home.

Even so, Lord, quickly come,

Bring Thy final harvest home;

Gather Thou Thy people in,

Free from sorrow, free from sin,

There, forever purified,

In Thy garner to abide;

Come, with all Thine angels come,

Raise the glorious harvest home.

Prayer: Lord, make me one of your treasurers who will finance the final harvests. 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 Good of The Land

Gen 45:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; 18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. 19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.

The Bible tells us that the earth is the Lord’s. There is no section of the earth that does not belong to God. All the fullness of the fields, mines, oil, gold, precious minerals all belongs to God. If the wealth of the earth is ours …why do so many saints lack. The Bible also says that for lack of knowledge the people perish. We do not know that which belongs to our father …and have no interest to enjoy that which is our inheritance. It is sad that many Christians do not know how to enjoy the goodness of God’s provision. God will often admit us into times to enjoy wealth and provisions that are part of our heritage. Many are embarrassed to possess wealth because they imagine it to be evil. How can that which God put in the land for us be evil?

All the goodness of all the land was offered for the enjoyment of the Hebrews. They are told to stop fretting about their limited paltry baggage and instead to consider there is a vast river of resources available for their comfort. This is still God’s promise to His children. It does not mean that God will grant us access to that which we are not prepared for…but it certainly means that wealth and possessions controlled by children of darkness is an anomaly. We pray and ask for souls …but are too shy to ask for resources to be transferred into the hands of kingdom stewards for His work. Remember I used the word stewards…because God can instruct and command His stewards concerning the use of His goods.

If God loved us so much that He can give us His most precious son, there is nothing else He can deny us. God is good and all the goodness of the earth belongs to Him.

Song.

I have a Father – The Almighty Father

He is King of King and Lord of Lords

I have a Father.

He is so good and so kind … Almighty God 2ce

Prayer: Lord, Let your saints enjoy and be satisfied with your abundant goodness all over the earth. 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 Invitation of Egypt

Gen 45:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; 18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. 19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.

It is Pharaoh that invites the family of Joseph to be preserved by all the good of the land. It is the will of God for the children to be preserved, but this is meant to be for a period after which they would move on. We often miss out the details when we are victorious and gloss over the important elements. God preserved Israel for Himself and not for Israel. Israel was a chosen special race with eternal significance. Egypt was preselected as a ransom for Israel’s redemption.

Pharaoh no doubt had his reasons for inviting the family of Joseph. Who were these strange people with such a powerful God? Could this God be harnessed for the greatness of Egypt? Imagine what it would be like if such an intelligent civilization were slaves in Egypt? They will be fed with cucumbers and delicacies and ecstasies that will be impossible for them to abandon and leave …then they will be enslaved. We can only guess at the real reasons behind the generosity for Pharaoh but we also know it was the plan of God that this should be so, but the higher plans of God remained intact.

Gifts, fatness and prosperity can be more dangerous than the snakes in the wilderness. Invitations to prosper are good but consider the end of most situations like this. As soon as the prospered taste Egypt, they are hooked to the sweet baits … and soon caught in nets of bondage. We love good endings so much that we forget altars and truths that must be preserved so generations after us will be preserved.

The devils of the Nile are left with no option as they need to be preserved by the wisdom that has proved superior to all the magicians of Egypt. But they remain alert still driven by an age old hatred for Israel’s God. They are patient and need a plan that must span generations. This devotional alerts you to be cautious with wealth and open invitations to prosperity that do not require a consecration to God as it may indeed be well with the present generation. But a generation will still come that does not know and has forgotten his contributions. Have you received an invitation that glorifies God albeit from Egypt? Accept it but take heed for the future.

Christ emphasised in His first sermon …. that blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn …they that hunger after righteousness, the pure in heart, the merciful … the meek, the persecuted, the reviled for righteousness,  Egypt has a different agenda for blessedness.

Remember your God … ensure the fire on the altar of God in your heart is kept pure and burning. Remain blessed.

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, Let the invitation of Egypt not ruin me. Help me to be ever faithful to your dear cause. 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 Fame of the Gospel

Gen 45:16 And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, Joseph’s brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

The Gospel is a beautiful story, but it is more than story. It is the power of God to save and transform lives. The story of Joseph was spread all over Egypt. This gladdened the hearts of the Egyptians. The gospel has the power even to gladden the soul of the heathen who continue to serve their own god. Society will change and rejoice if the gospel is preached. Governments will hear and rejoice when the gospel is preached. Far and near all who hear the word of God will be touched that this is truth. But who will come to God?

Not all who hear come … many are glad, and even pleased with the truths of God. Did you read that Herod was a disciple of John and loved to hear him. The governor Felix heard as Paul preached for years but said … at a convenient time, I will call for thee. Many have itching ears like the Greeks and fascinated with the romance and suspense or perhaps the morality and wisdom. The fame of the gospel is very different from revival when people come to God.

Do not mistake pleasure of men to hear the truth – with a decision to abandon sin and a commitment to serve the Almighty who will not share His throne with another. I have met so many who love truth, are pleased with the gospel and will even preach it – they gather always to hear God’s word … but they retain the wickedness in their heart. Lord, may the Holy Spirit draw us … for the Bible says none can come except they are drawn by the Holy Spirit but we also cannot put the Holy Spirit in our box. He calls unlettered fishermen like Peter as well as scholars like Paul. He calls dubious men like Zaccheaus and tax collectors like Matthew but called Judas to perdition and Herod was never convicted. Indeed, there is no heart that can withstand the call that brought Paul to his knees on the road to Damascus without any preacher.

Do not confuse the fame of the Gospel for the revival. They are related but not always the same. In Revival the evidence of the Holy Spirit is manifest in the fruits that are tough to fake.

Song.

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of Glory died

My richest gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it Lord, that I should boast

Save in the death of Christ

All the vain things that charm me most

I sacrifice them to His blood

If the whole realm of nature were mine

It were an offering far too small

Love so amazing so divine

Demands my soul my life my all

Prayer: Lord, Let the Revival begin with me … your words have pleased me … let it revive 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

Moreover … a Higher Love.

Gen 45:14 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

Someone once said that true love for others will often manifest itself in tears. There is a fake love that merely seeks its own but wears a mask of compassion for others. But we cannot fake tears when we are in the midst of brethren we truly love. There is love that wants to be proven as superior or better than others … and there is the higher love. What is a higher love?

It is good to fall upon Benjamin and smother him with kisses and to cry … weeping upon his neck. But it is more difficult to even look at the eyes of his brothers who filled all his early life with pains. The Bible says “Moreover…” as if to draw our attention to something unusual. Joseph embraced his brothers, kissed them and wept upon them. Amazing by any standards the world has seen.

True Christians will amaze the world not by their songs and words or by their great deeds, but by the love they have – especially for those they cannot ordinarily stand or be with. Especially for those who had hurt them and targeted evil at them. But, today – is the altar of God not an oven for great hatreds and long standing grudges? We cannot be open to brethren or expose our vulnerabilities to others – for we fear betrayal. Yet Christ said love your enemies. Do good to them that hurt you. When a man demands your shirt, give your coat as well. Perhaps that is easy. But to fall on your brethren that has hurt you in a deep love that expresses itself in tears is so deep and so high. No other testimony on earth so deeply matches this.

It was after this expression of a higher and shocking demonstration of love that the brothers of Joseph opened up completely to Joseph seeing that they are safe. What a lesson. Meditate on this expression of love and consider the great evidence it confers on the recipient. It is the power of the gospel, helped by a practical demonstration of a high love that brings souls to restoration. How can we say we love God when we are cold to our brethren? Meditate on this. Christ did not just weep but He endured a horrible and painful death for love. It is this love that causes us to go to the mission field to serve God in extremely hostile territories …sowing in tears. Great revivalists – Evan Roberts, Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield – were all great reapers in public because they were all great weepers in private. Joseph was a great weeper.

Do note as well – Joseph did not weep or fall on Egyptians. Be watchful in love … Joseph remained aloof to the Egyptian elite – separated.

Song.

There is love within Thy store house,

But Thy people are so dry.

There’s compassion in Thy storehouse

Then, my Savior, why, oh, why

Are Thy people stony-hearted

And our eyes so desert dry?

Prayer: Lord, May my eyes not be dry for souls and my brethren destined to be one with Christ. 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 Mouth of Joseph

Gen 45:12 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you. 13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

O tongue…this potent instrument for good or evil. A destroyer and yet a builder – the driver of many woes and the builder of many lives. There are times when our mouth should just be shut so that there will be future opportunities for glorious words. May our mouths be transformed and our manner of speaking be delivered.

Many say they have been saved but their mouth is filled with guile. Others cannot control the gates of their lips and speak too soon when they should be silent. It is not every sermon that should be preached, nor is it every observation that must be voiced. Why does Joseph ask that they see that it is Joseph that speaks. His words are now seasoned with grace and wisdom. All Joseph says is what God has asked him to say and not what he feels or discerns or observes. The mouth of Joseph was not always harmless … it was a mouth that brought evil reports of his brothers. Indeed, the greatest seed are our words … and Joseph reaped what he sowed. His mouth spoke too soon of his dreams … we are not told God told him to speak of his dreams to his brethren or indeed to any. …but as he went through the pit, prison and eventually palace – his mouth had been completely transformed for the better. It was God that did it as prison and tragic experiences can even cause the bitterness of sorrow to cause worse utterances.

The Joseph that speaks does not speak to promote guilt or avenge ills. The mouth that speaks is simple, plain, honest, kind and does not repeat the evil things afflicted on him. This mouth seeks not to satisfy his thirst for vengeance but to promote the welfare of brothers that despised him, his father and Benjamin. His words are full of assurance that all is now well. This mouth has forgotten all the past false accusations and the hell of being hated with a passion. A transformed mouth is a transformed life. Joseph speaks with grace and tells his brothers to go and report to their father that the Joseph that was termed foolish has changed … He is now filled with a divine and kind wisdom, and his words are different. He now dwells in a high glory but remains so humble …all he clamors for is to see the father he loves dearly.

We must be patient with God to change what must change in our lives. His greatest works are not material provisions but healings of our character flaws … The brothers have also changed, by the grace of God. They can receive the brother they once hated and embrace him. You will change as well.

Song.

Take my voice, and let me sing

Always, only, for my King;

Take my lips, and let them be

Filled with messages from Thee,

Prayer: Lord, May my lips be always and only filled with messages from 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