Uncommon Favor

Gen 37:1 And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors.

Joseph is now seventeen and he walked in uncommon favor. He was not the youngest, as  Benjamin was born after him. Still he enjoyed an uncommon favor even from the beginning. He saw the evil that his brothers did and brought back the plots of his elder brethren. He was given a coat of many colors by his father Jacob. Though uncommonly favored no one had an idea of the glory ahead for Joseph. It seemed to his brothers that Joseph may inherit the wealth of their clever father or the blessings of the first son. Jacob would find some way to give him an advantage. But God knew all the wealth and substance of Jacob will be exhausted in the famine that was coming.

Be encouraged. What God has prepared ahead is far ahead of what your enemies are incensed about. There is an untouchable destiny and position that men cannot in any way pull down. The future glory that will be yours has not been exposed to your brothers. Do you see that everything man can give other men can be and will be taken away? Joseph had a preferred position given to him by Jacob in the household. He lost that to become a slave in Egypt. Joseph had a coat of many colors given to him by his doting father. He also lost that and the coat ended up torn and stained with blood to deceive his father. But there are gifts that men did not give Joseph. Joseph could see the unseen … he had an access to the secrets and wisdom of God … God gave him answers when others had questions. These were not taken from him because they could not be taken.

Rejoice if men have taken anything from you. It only reveals that men gave them to you. Instead there are gifts of faith, discernment, wisdom … talents from God for His favored servants. Even the earthy life of Jesus that came through Mary was released to be taken by the other men who crucified Him. But none could take from Jesus the position next to the father that was always His even from the beginning.

A life with Christ is a favored life not because we have no trials and we do not lose things. But because we are gifted from Heaven. If earthly fathers know how to spoil their favored sons with gifts, imagine what God who has no limitation in resources is able to do for His beloved ones. To be a Christian is to enjoy unfair advantages. Anything men have offered you pales into insignificance and one day will be taken by other men. To be a Christian is to be positioned to receive many things from God that others will not be given and that cannot be taken by men. But ponder today, what does God want in return for showering you with so many undeserved gifts? He asks us to go and share the good news. Have you gone?

Song.

And I have brought to thee, Down from my home above,

Salvation full and free, My pardon and my love.

I bring rich gifts to thee;

What has thou brought to me?

Words: Frances R. Havergal, 1858 

Prayer: O Lord help me realize the need for me to serve you even more. 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