Reuben – the Unstable (Part II)
Gen 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: 4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch
Jacob suddenly changes his tone to address some issues that cannot be just swept off. The instability of Reuben who is described as one cursed to be ever unstable because he would not exercise self-control not to defile his father’s bed. Instability is a great curse. Water assumes any shape it finds itself. It will be cylindrical in a cylindrical vessel and be conical in a conical vessel. Have you seen Christians that blend with any situation … they adapt and flow in all scenarios and can be whatever they need to be for the situation – but they never excel. They will never stand out for anything …They are too weak to shine.
Often times we carry the consequences of past choices in the form of serious character limitations that bind us to mediocrity. We imagine we do not excel because we are not trying enough – but really we cannot be used of God as a divine star because our destiny is polluted. God cannot use an unstable person for he can receive nothing of the Lord. Not even the forgiveness – so urgently needed.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his way.
What does it mean not to excel? It means not to shine. It means to always be under a cloud of mediocrity and be far less than God has ordained us to be. What can we do? Firstly, we can repent and begin to make the right choices. Secondly we can go to God for mercy and help. Thirdly, seek the grace that is sufficient to walk in the freedom God has ordained.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. If God must ask us to bear our consequences – though forgiven … He must help us not to be bitter, but to sow new seeds of love and forgiveness that will eventually reap mercy and healing of all our scars. You will not miss your crown. There is eternal hope.
Song.
The consecrated cross I’ll bear Till death shall set me free?
And then go home my crown to wear for there’s a crown for me
Prayer : Lord, as I sow forgiveness for others, help me to reap a total and complete forgiveness. 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
