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