HIS BOW REMAINED STEADY...

Joseph is a fruitful vine,
a fruitful vine near a spring,
whose branches climb over a wall.
With bitterness archers attacked him;
they shot at him with hostility.
But his bow remained steady....
Because of the Almighty, who blesses you
with blessings of the heavens above,
blessings of the deep that lies below,
blessings of the breast and womb.
Your father’s blessings are greater
than the blessing of the ancient mountains,
than the bounty of the age-old hills.
(Gen 49:22-26)

It all started with a dream of great blessing that Joseph had when he was a young man, the second youngest of twelve brothers. In the dream he was binding sheaves of grain in a field alongside his brothers. Suddenly, Joseph’s sheaf stood upright while his brothers bowed down to it. The dream was so vivid that he made the near-fatal mistake of sharing it with his brothers. Offended by the suggestion that they would ever kowtow to Joseph and jealous because of their younger brother was their father’s favorite, ten of them decided to get rid of him. Most of us know the story well. But it’s worth recapping the obstacles Joseph faced:

1. He was kidnapped.
2. He was almost murdered.
3. He was sold into slavery.
4. He was falsely accused of rape.
5. He was thrown into prison.

Imagine what it would be like to suffer just one of these calamities. But despite them all, Joseph kept rising to the top of the heap. Potiphar, his first Egyptian master, quickly put him in charge of his whole household. When Joseph was jailed, the warden gave him responsibility for running the prison. And finally, Pharaoh was so struck by the young man’s wisdom and his ability to interpret dreams that he made him governor of all Egypt.

Joseph was like a ball that keeps popping back up whenever it’s pushed under water. The further it’s pushed, the higher it pops. Joseph’s resilience in the face of so many obstacles is compelling evidence of the Almighty’s power to bless our lives, regardless of who or what stands in the way.

Remember that the next time you’re tempted to doubt God’s promises. Nothing can prevent El Shadday, our Almighty God, from carrying out his plans and pouring out his blessings on those who belong to Him. Pain there will be, confusion, struggle, and difficulty, but God can use even these to bless us as long as we trust Him.

- Ann Sprangler from her book entitled "Praying the Names of God"

Hi! Precious People! This passage reminds us of the many blessings we have received from Him which we should constantly be thankful for. Things may not always work out the way we want it to be, and it is at times like this that we must reflect on what He has already blessed us with. He is far able to see us through our most difficult moments, comfort us in our turmoil and bring us the security that no one else can give.

I remember the times when the Lord told me to resign from my work place whilst working in an insurance company, during the peak of recession. I was to resign before getting another job and felt in my heart that God had plans to bless me, but first was the testings that came with it. The people that I talked to said I was being very silly and stupid. My dad said I was stretching my faith a little too far.

There again, I heard His voice and I obeyed. (Things become less complicated when we have childlike faith). To cut a long story short, (if you want to know in detail...we can go mamak and chat lah...) I left the company and started to apply for other jobs but I did tell the Lord that if He wanted me to resign from this place, I requested 3 conditions to be fulfilled.

I wanted double of what I was getting, to work in an office that have Christian meetings during lunch time and urhm...I wanted 5 day week! (Well, since He wanted to bless me, I may as well tell Him what I wanted...teruk eh! By the way, at that time, I was just beginning my walk with God). During the one month, I went to so many interviews and each person questioned me as to why I resigned during the peak of recession...they made me feel like a fool lah! After the many discouraging comments, being human, I went into depression. I cried my heart out and physically, and emotionally, I had no more strength. After much tears, I said a short prayer...just managed a whisper..."God, I will still trust you...I repent if I ever depended on my testimonials, or my abilities...they mean nothing to me now...and even if I don’t get a job I will still love you."

The next day, I bought a copy of Malay Mail and the advert caught my attention. Called them up and as I was walking into the engineering department of MAS, I heard the Lord say, this job is yours. After the interview, he said he will let me know in 3 days time, if I get the job. After the 5th day, still no news...then by the time it was the 7th day...I was feeling down again, but I offered the job back to Him. Said something like "Even if I don’t get this job...I will still love you Lord!"

The following morning, a phone call came and my employer said "This job is yours if you want it." What they offered me was twice my salary, there was 2 Christian groups that met during lunch time to pray, and it was 5 days week!!!

As I look back, I can see God’s hand in moving me forward to fulfill His plans. Not only was I blessed, I learnt to put my trust in Him and the principles I have learnt of letting go and trusting Him in the midst of turmoil. As we remain faithful to Him, He has far greater plans ...you see, the Christian meet there was instrumental in building my foundation in Christ and leading me to where I am right now...being full-time in FGA. So, it was just not the blessings I received, but He had higher plans to strategically place me there for His purpose, as I obeyed His voice.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Is 55:11).

Sometimes, we may be going through situations that are difficult, questions that go unanswered, pain that lingers on and we wonder how long we have to go through it. People may not even understand the situations we go through...but there will come a time when His purposes will be shown, because no matter how tough life is, no power in heaven or earth can thwart His plans for us as long as we follow Him. Confess any doubts about God’s ability or desire to help us and ask Him for the faith to believe that He can show His strength in us and for us when we are at the weakest.

Praying for you as you go through this tough period...

-jo-