Blessed beyond our Prayers
Gen 48:11 And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed
God promises to give us in excess of what we ask or think – beyond all our imaginations and exceeding our thoughts and expectations. God is not limited to what we ask nor do our thoughts hold him to ransom. He will give us the heathen for an inheritance and will cause souls to come into His kingdom beyond all our expectations and thoughts. Indeed, sin will cut us short of the glory we could have had – but there is also a favor and mercy that goes beyond all we could ever deserve and reveals even things we could never search for or seek. It is good to pray, but best to praise God who does beyond our dreams and exceeds all the boundaries of our intercession. God is our exceeding great reward.
Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
The word exceeding is a good word to study. It means to go beyond in quantity, degree, rate, etc. It means to exceed the limit, to go above boundaries and exceed one’s understanding. It means to surpass in every way … to be superior and to excel. This is who our God is. We can have great thoughts of what He can do – but always be cautioned to know He will always do in excess of all our thoughts. He can give beyond our desires and is not limited by what we can imagine in our limited understanding. In riches, He can bless exceedingly … he has no reason to hold back from His abundant stores. Still we see in this text, that Jacob was blessed to see Joseph, not for Jacob’s sake – but so that God’s will is done, God exceeds our thoughts and prayers to prosper His plans and not to satisfy our lusts for gain. Perhaps we should spend more time to praise Him for His exceeding greatness that is beyond in all its ramifications.
Song.
How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds – In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole, And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul, And to the weary, rest.
Dear Name, the Rock on which I build, My Shield and Hiding Place,
My never failing treasury, filled – With boundless stores of grace!
By Thee my prayers acceptance gain, Although with sin defiled;
Satan accuses me in vain, And I am owned a child.
Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend, O Prophet, Priest and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, Accept the praise I bring.
Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art, I’ll praise Thee as I ought.
Till then I would Thy love proclaim – With every fleeting breath,
And may the music of Thy Name – Refresh my soul in death!
Prayer: Lord, I praise you – for there is no God like you that exceeds our thoughts and even our prayers. 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
