Do not forget

 Psalm 137:1–9 (ESV): 

By the waters of Babylon, 

there we sat down and wept, 

when we remembered Zion. 

 2  On the willows there 

we hung up our lyres. 

 3  For there our captors 

required of us songs, 

  and our tormentors, mirth, saying, 

“Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 

 4  How shall we sing the Lord’s song 

in a foreign land? 

 5  If I forget you, O Jerusalem, 

let my right hand forget its skill! 

 6  Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, 

if I do not remember you, 

  if I do not set Jerusalem 

above my highest joy! 

 7  Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites 

the day of Jerusalem, 

  how they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, 

down to its foundations!” 

 8  O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, 

blessed shall he be who repays you 

with what you have done to us! 

 9  Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones 

and dashes them against the rock! 

The people of God have a sorrow that no-one else understands. The things that are lost when people and nations turn away from the truth of Scripture is heartbreaking. Throwing away teaching the principles and stories of the Bible in favour of 'new' thinking, or because some truths are uncomfortable as society accepts ways that the Bible does not. These things cause the people of God to lament. 

I think of how in my lifetime England has changed. Hymns, prayer and biblical teaching were an everyday part of primary school life. Teaching Biblical stories and principles commonplace in the home and community, like; treating others as you want to be treated, honouring your parents and those in authority. These were unwritten rules that you were expected to abide by, it was the same for everyone, and even unknowingly, communities and families were embedding principles and guidance from Scripture into their children's lives, in the workplace, and wider community. Alongside this culture, the laws of this land once reflected the truths of the Gospel, just like in Israel before this exile. Then men started to be persuaded that God’s way wasn’t as good as other ways. Other nations lived differently and had new ideas and ideals, so the law of the land changed to deviate from the truth of God. Kings desired divorce, men desired men, and women, women. Lying is acceptable if you are a politician or salesperson, sex before marriage no longer outrageous but expected. Children not expected to be in submission to parents or authority, instead expected and supported to rebel. Free speech is no longer free, even people who silently pray can be arrested. What has happened?! As a person of God, does this not cause your heart to grieve? 

Such recollections must have caused the grief that penned this psalm. For Israel, their nation had not only deviated from Scripture, but as a result they had been kicked out! Their nation was defeated and the people captured by the Babylonian empire. Yet even through the taunts of their enemy, Israel remembered the joy of Jerusalem, and the privilege of singing praise and making music to their God. They could no longer do this as grief had replaced joy because they were away from the centre of God’s presence (Jerusalem), so their hearts were heavy. They could not even pick up their instruments. As they were dragged into exile ‘we hung up our lyres’ and ‘sat down and wept’ demonstrating the level of grief they experienced. Is your heart aggrieved for the condition of your nation? 

Although the Israelites grieved what was lost, and lamented it, they did not conform, but they continued as best as they could to live as Israelites in this foreign land. Their God was still their God, they remembered the storied of deliverance, the commands, followed the laws, and taught each generation about The God of Israel. They made an effort to remember, to recall the songs, the teachings, the joy of Jerusalem, and they prayed for deliverance. Are you doing the same? 

When Christianity was the main religion of England, schools and hospitals were created, and charities founded. It is because of christians putting their faith into action through caring for others that these institutions exist. How much have those sectors deviated from their roots and the truth! How sad that their history is hidden, and the truth of God removed from those settings. It is like being in a foreign land where God is not known. How can the beautiful truth be forgotten? (v5-6). As people of God, let us not forget. Let us not forget the foundations of faith, the importance of the values of the Kingdom of God. For even if it feels that we are in a foreign land like the Israelites were, we can still live by and apply the truths and laws of the Kingdom of God. For though the Israelites were taken into exile, it did not stop them being Israelites! They knew they were still the people of God, no matter where they were. They still carried songs of praise in their hearts and poured out their hearts in grief to Him. They still remembered the goodness of God and the greatness of worship, and so can you. The Israelites said, ‘Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if i do not remember you’. Therefore recall the goodness of God. Remember the times when God was made known and extolled where you live, and teach the younger generation. Show them what God has done and teach them to hold onto the truth even in a foreign land and era. Do not forget ‘my highest joy’!

Even though times, culture, and laws have changed, and expectations, behaviours and language may seem foreign to you, do not forget. God is still God, even if you feel like a stranger or an exile as the Israelites did. They felt downhearted and distraught, but they could not forget the truth of God. They did not forget the songs of joy, hymns of faith, or the praise and worship of the temple. They would remind each other and encourage one another to remember and pray. They knew that one day, the situation would change, so they had to remember and teach their young ones what to look forward to. One day, like Babylon, this godless age is ‘doomed to be destroyed’. God’s people and His kingdom will once again ‘sing the Lord’s song’ in joy and unity! So remember, wait, and seek the return of God’s reign wherever you are right now. God will repay evil, and He will also repay righteousness. So are you remembering who He is and what life with God is like for yourself, your community and nation? Are you teaching the generation to come about God and how to worship Him? For they will need to know, and they need to be prepared. Even in a dark and disparate nation, people need to be told and encouraged that better times are coming, that there is joy beyond a nation, a situation and beyond this life! The highest joy is that there is a God that loves and cares, who is powerful and kind, who is King and who deserves to be remembered and honoured. Are you remembering Him, and sharing that joy with those around you? 

Are you glad?

 Psalm 126:1–6 (ESV):  

1  When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, 

we were like those who dream. 

 2  Then our mouth was filled with laughter, 

and our tongue with shouts of joy; 

  then they said among the nations, 

“The Lord has done great things for them.” 

 3  The Lord has done great things for us; 

we are glad. 

 4  Restore our fortunes, O Lord, 

like streams in the Negeb! 

 5  Those who sow in tears 

shall reap with shouts of joy! 

 6  He who goes out weeping, 

bearing the seed for sowing, 

  shall come home with shouts of joy, 

bringing his sheaves with him. 

You can only really appreciate what you have got when you have gone through times where you have suffered. This psalm tells of the dream-like joy the people of Israel felt when they returned to their homeland after being in captivity. They had suffered physically and emotionally, they had been apart from familiarity, their homes and community, their routines disrupted, and faith shaken. Then, God made it possible for them to return - can you begin to imagine the joy?! They laughed and shouted in happiness, acknowledging that ‘The Lord has done great things for us’! Suddenly the joy of reconciliation and restoration outstripped the pain of suffering and exile. This had now been exchanged for the joy of reunion and restoration of their souls, faith and homeland. The Israelites would not have experienced that extent of happiness if there had not been the sowing in tears (v5). The depths of misery that they had known meant they could really appreciate coming ‘home with shouts of joy’. How much more beautiful does home seem when you have been away for a while? Imagine that magnified, due to being forced from home and prevented from returning, having been held captive elsewhere. The Israelites experienced that as a whole nation, imagine the noise of their jubilation; the singing, dancing, laughter, shouts and cries of joy. 

Through this time of great gladness, the people could clearly see the hand of God. They did not just express exuberant joy over the changed circumstances, they also acknowledged and celebrated how the situation had changed. They knew this restoration could not have been possible without God. He had taught them, protected them, favoured them and led them home. Therefore He was at the centre of their celebrations. It was so obvious that God had transformed the circumstances for Israel, as even those ‘among the nations’ declare, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The successful deliverance of Israel had far-reaching impact among nations! The joy, protection, and restoration of God’s people travelled to unnamed nations so that those not of God’s people, those with different faiths and cultures, could see and appreciate that there had to be a God involved in this rescue mission! What an amazing acknowledgement - that things like this do not happen unless there is God involved. Miraculous, unbelievable, unmerited favour and deliverance can only be from the hand of God. This can be seen even by those who do not yet know Him, who seem far off. Yet they are observing the lives of the people of God, and they notice what happens, and how they respond. The Israelites' experience and reaction shows other people outside of the nation that these people - they have the favour of Almighty God with them! What do people notice as they observe your life, attitude and responses? 

Are you telling people the stories from your life that celebrate God’s favour? You have things that you can joyfully tell people, about God's goodness, love, grace and power. There are incredible blessings, times of favour and deliverance you have experienced, so do not be shy about telling others about them. Whether the hearers are believers or not. For your stories could influence others to also see that God is still doing great things for His people, because of the great things He has done for you. 

So, celebrate and allow yourself to be glad, laugh, and cry with joy, for ‘The Lord has done great things for us’. Even when you are in a season of sorrow, lack or difficulty, you can be certain that there is a joy to come. This psalm explains that you will sow tears, lose fortunes, you will weep and mourn. Yet you will also bear fruit, sow seed, shout with joy, laugh and know abundance! All because of the love and favour of God! So, whether your season is one of joy or sorrow, keep your eyes fixed on Him and live to earn His favour. You don’t want to miss out on the shouts of joy, singing, dancing and laughing because life got hard and you turned your back on God, do you? 

What do you get excited about?

Psalm 122:1–9 (ESV):  

1  I was glad when they said to me, 

“Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 

 2  Our feet have been standing 

within your gates, O Jerusalem! 

 3  Jerusalem—built as a city 

that is bound firmly together, 

 4  to which the tribes go up, 

the tribes of the Lord, 

  as was decreed for Israel, 

to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 

 5  There thrones for judgment were set, 

the thrones of the house of David. 

 6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! 

“May they be secure who love you! 

 7  Peace be within your walls 

and security within your towers!” 

 8  For my brothers and companions’ sake 

I will say, “Peace be within you!” 

 9  For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, 

I will seek your good. 

It is clear that this psalmist is excited to have travelled to Jerusalem, and to be given the chance to go into the temple - look at how they marvel in verse 1 about standing just inside that city's gates! Is there anywhere that gets you excited like that? This writer recognises that Jerusalem has been a place of pilgrimage for generations of every tribe of Israel. A place where the whole nation gathers to remember and worship God. Not only that, but David chose Jerusalem to be his home when he was King of Israel, so the city has housed kings for centuries. For David there could be no better place to live than the holy city, the place where God is worshipped. Therefore Jerusalem became not only a spiritual centre, but also a political one. It became a city that draw together the earthly and the heavenly powers. No wonder the writer was excited to enter into this place of great renown and significance! They felt honoured to be there, and acknowledged the weight of significance of this city, which has been much fought over and written about. Their response to being in such an awe-inspiring place is to pray. 

They pray for this city to know peace, every part of it; the walls, towers, Israelites, friends, the house of the Lord and even unknown people who love what Jerusalem stands for. This person prays that this place, and the people who love God, should be marked by peace and security. How wonderful that this believer was so inspired and excited about being in the holy city, that they prayed. They prayed for it's peace and security, for the physical city and for those within it. 

How do you feel when you enter a place where people gather to God? Do you feel peaceful, safe, excited? The history of faith, the battles fought, and the triumph of God's kingdom should influence how you approach a place of worship. Some places are admittedly, more impressive and beautiful than others with their architecture. Yet does the thought that people of faith have entered into this place before you, sometimes for generations inspire you? Do you get excited by the faithfulness of God and His people that have impacted the city, town or village where you worship?

I wonder how you respond to the inspiring testimonies of faith, the history and faith displayed there. This psalmist prayed. He prayed that the city and the people would know peace and security. What a wonderful response to their excitement! What is your response to where you worship or live? 

Why not take some inspiration from this psalmist and start to pray for where you worship, ask God for His peace and security for this place and people. Even if you don't really like the location you can still pray, pray that ‘For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.’ Desire good for the place and the people and pray for it, if not because you want to, because you love and honour God and His presence. Pray for the area, every part of it; the buildings, businesses and believers. Pray that where you gather will be a place where people come in joy, anticipation, security and peace, because the Lord has built His house there, just like He did in Jerusalem.

The God of Jacob and of Judah

Psalm 114:1–8 (ESV): 

When Israel went out from Egypt, 

the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, 

 2  Judah became his sanctuary, 

Israel his dominion. 

 3  The sea looked and fled; 

Jordan turned back. 

 4  The mountains skipped like rams, 

the hills like lambs. 

 5  What ails you, O sea, that you flee? 

O Jordan, that you turn back? 

 6  O mountains, that you skip like rams? 

O hills, like lambs? 

 7  Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, 

at the presence of the God of Jacob, 

 8  who turns the rock into a pool of water, 

the flint into a spring of water. 

This psalm refers to the nation of Israel in several ways to emphasise different aspects of their experience. One of these is the ‘house of Jacob’.  This refers to those who entered Egypt during the years that Joseph was second in command in that nation. When he invited his family to come and reside in Goshen with permission of the Pharaoh. Therefore it is appropriate that this psalm links the nation’s escape from Egypt to the people who entered it. For these are the ones from whom all the Israelites have descended from since being there. What once started off in Egypt as a poor, withering family due to famine, had become a vast and prospering people, significant enough to become a nation! Thus demonstrating something of the perfect plan, power and purposes of God, even in their slavery and oppression. Even though the Israelites were downtrodden and ill-treated for generations, they had become numerous, so much so that the current Pharaoh and Egyptians now considered them a threat. So, referring to the people of Israel as the house of Jacob tells a story. It is a reminder of what God has done and can do. For His might and power are always the pervading authority no matter the circumstances! 

The people who left Egypt are also named as Judah, the leading tribe of the nation of Israel. Judah was known for it’s power, strength, and for the fact that the promised Messiah would come from them. This is the tribe that ‘became his sanctuary’, a place of safety, security and the presence of God thereby signifying His holiness and strength. Once the nation arrived at the Promised Land, the holy town of Jerusalem where the temple was built was in Judah, centrally located, just as God is central to the nation of Israel, His chosen people.

We can see that through simply identifying different names for Israel, this psalmist connects the Israelites past to the the future promises of God. It reminds us of God's favour, His work through the trials, and His assurance that wherever His people are, He will be at the centre, providing His holiness and strength, and always fulfilling His promises. Where God's people are, there He is, whatever they are going through, He has a plan, whoever seems to be in power, He is more powerful and He looks over and cares for His own. 

This psalm continues to tells us that at the mere sight of this nation, ‘the sea looked and fled’ and ‘the mountains skipped like rams’. For ‘the presence of the Lord’ is with His people. Do you know that the presence of God is STILL with His people, as magnificent and powerful today as it was then? 

God can and does still do miraculous and incredible things through and for His people. He is still redeeming people from slavery, providing for their needs, helping them escape and endure oppression, causing natural phenomena to protect and guide them. God can and does mighty works today in the lives of those who follow Him, whether it is following Him to another town or nation, through difficulty or into freedom and blessing, you can still see God working today. 

Therefore expect the unexpected, pray big and keep following Him for who knows how you will see God’s might and power displayed next -  He is the God of Jacob, the God of Judah, and the God of those who follow Him. So, you can trust Him with whatever season of life you are in, and in all circumstances.

The lord of The Lord

Psalm 110:1–7 (ESV):  

1  The Lord says to my Lord: 

“Sit at my right hand, 

  until I make your enemies your footstool.” 

 2  The Lord sends forth from Zion 

your mighty scepter. 

Rule in the midst of your enemies! 

 3  Your people will offer themselves freely 

on the day of your power, 

in holy garments; 

  from the womb of the morning, 

the dew of your youth will be yours. 

 4  The Lord has sworn 

and will not change his mind, 

  “You are a priest forever 

after the order of Melchizedek.” 

 5  The Lord is at your right hand; 

he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. 

 6  He will execute judgment among the nations, 

filling them with corpses; 

  he will shatter chiefs 

over the wide earth. 

 7  He will drink from the brook by the way; 

therefore he will lift up his head. 

This psalm is a revelation that David had that there is a power and authority greater than any influence or position anyone can hold on Earth. He starts off by expressing, ‘the Lord says to my lord’, this indicates that David, even as a king, is in submission to someone higher, his 'lord'. David accepted and enjoyed that fact. For he knew that no matter how powerful, rich or renowned he may get, there is another greater than him in heaven. God revealed to David that there is a lord of the Lord. This is Jesus. 

I think it is amazing how God reveals himself to us. David dld not have the knowledge or understanding of what God had planned. He only had Old Testament scriptures to read to find out anything about God. So when God chose to speak to David the words of these psalm, it must have seemed incredible. David could not fully grasp what was being told to him, but we know can see that God spoke to David about His Son Jesus. God did not explicitly reveal what was to come, but he gave David indicators of what the future would hold. These things would have been strange to the ancient Israelite mind, however when David had this revelation of a lord of the Lord, he knew that this information was inspired by God and of importance so he wrote it down. Even though David could not fully understand it himself, he realised that what God was showing him was significant enough to make the effort to record it. This lord, God revealed, was to be a ruler, have power, be holy, bring judgement, be a priest ‘after the order of Melchizedek’ and sit at God’s side, yet drink water like the rest of humanity does. This revelation showed this lord’s humanity, humility and holiness, and Jesus fulfils each of these. 

What a revelation that David had! Here we are thousands of years later, reading in awe that God has been revealing his Son for thousands of years - even to people who cannot fully grasp what it means! David wrote this about one thousand years before Jesus was even born. Then, during his ministry, Jesus confirms these exact words brought to David - that he, Jesus, is the lord of the Lord, (documented in Matthew 22). Isn’t that incredible?! This writing was kept safe for that length of time, Jesus knew it, and we still get to read it 3,000 years later, plus we now understand it and can see how it points to Jesus! 

God has been revealing himself since the beginning of time and God speaks to His people. David, influenced by the Holy Spirit, wrote down this vision of the promised messiah. I am sure that most of what David wrote probably did not make much sense to Him. A lord of the Lord, people freely giving themselves to God, and being clothed in holiness. This would have been difficult for David and those of his time to imagine how this could be possible. For they lived at a time when Israel alone was the holy nation, the only people set apart for God, they alone were His people. So how can any person who chooses to; give themselves to God, become holy, and be one of His people? The Levites, the set apart priests were the holiest people you could get. Yet they had to go through rituals of cleansing to be sanctified, and that just lasted for a short time in order to perform their duties. So, how can there be people ‘in holy garments’ just because they ‘offer themselves freely’? This was so far beyond David’s experience and the Israelites that it must have brought confused hope as well as an awe of God. I bet those that read or heard these words at the time wondered how any of this could be possible. 

How privileged are we that we now live in those foretold days. We can approach God freely, no animal blood required, no cleansing rituals, no set appointments, dates, festivals, times or places. You can offer yourself freely today into the hands of God. You do not have to be from a particular background, culture or nation, or even particularly good, you can freely come into the presence of God and be made holy! For ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind’! The promise that God made to David, was that Jesus would come, and that people can come to him of their own accord and be made holy. You can do that today. You are invited and welcomed into His presence, always and whenever you like, because Jesus has made you holy. God has been planning and preparing for millennia that people like you and I can become holy, without sin, and become His family. Isn’t that awesome?!

God is present and in charge

Psalm 105:1–45 (ESV): 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; 

make known his deeds among the peoples! 

 2  Sing to him, sing praises to him; 

tell of all his wondrous works! 

 3  Glory in his holy name; 

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! 

 4  Seek the Lord and his strength; 

seek his presence continually! 

 5  Remember the wondrous works that he has done, 

his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, 

 6  O offspring of Abraham, his servant, 

children of Jacob, his chosen ones! 

 7  He is the Lord our God; 

his judgments are in all the earth. 

 8  He remembers his covenant forever, 

the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, 

 9  the covenant that he made with Abraham, 

his sworn promise to Isaac, 

 10  which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, 

to Israel as an everlasting covenant, 

 11  saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan 

as your portion for an inheritance.” 

 12  When they were few in number, 

of little account, and sojourners in it, 

 13  wandering from nation to nation, 

from one kingdom to another people, 

 14  he allowed no one to oppress them; 

he rebuked kings on their account, 

 15  saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, 

do my prophets no harm!” 

 16  When he summoned a famine on the land 

and broke all supply of bread, 

 17  he had sent a man ahead of them, 

Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 

 18  His feet were hurt with fetters; 

his neck was put in a collar of iron; 

 19  until what he had said came to pass, 

the word of the Lord tested him. 

 20  The king sent and released him; 

the ruler of the peoples set him free; 

 21  he made him lord of his house 

and ruler of all his possessions, 

 22  to bind his princes at his pleasure 

and to teach his elders wisdom. 

 23  Then Israel came to Egypt; 

Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 

 24  And the Lord made his people very fruitful 

and made them stronger than their foes. 

 25  He turned their hearts to hate his people, 

to deal craftily with his servants. 

 26  He sent Moses, his servant, 

and Aaron, whom he had chosen. 

 27  They performed his signs among them 

and miracles in the land of Ham. 

 28  He sent darkness, and made the land dark; 

they did not rebel against his words. 

 29  He turned their waters into blood 

and caused their fish to die. 

 30  Their land swarmed with frogs, 

even in the chambers of their kings. 

 31  He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, 

and gnats throughout their country. 

 32  He gave them hail for rain, 

and fiery lightning bolts through their land. 

 33  He struck down their vines and fig trees, 

and shattered the trees of their country. 

 34  He spoke, and the locusts came, 

young locusts without number, 

 35  which devoured all the vegetation in their land 

and ate up the fruit of their ground. 

 36  He struck down all the firstborn in their land, 

the firstfruits of all their strength. 

 37  Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, 

and there was none among his tribes who stumbled. 

 38  Egypt was glad when they departed, 

for dread of them had fallen upon it. 

 39  He spread a cloud for a covering, 

and fire to give light by night. 

 40  They asked, and he brought quail, 

and gave them bread from heaven in abundance. 

 41  He opened the rock, and water gushed out; 

it flowed through the desert like a river. 

 42  For he remembered his holy promise, 

and Abraham, his servant. 

 43  So he brought his people out with joy, 

his chosen ones with singing. 

 44  And he gave them the lands of the nations, 

and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil, 

 45  that they might keep his statutes 

and observe his laws. 

  Praise the Lord! 

'Praise the Lord!' God is always present and in charge. Through the desert times, the promised land, when His people are outnumbered or a multitude, in the times of lack and prosperity, in darkness and light, in famine and harvest, God is present and in charge. God knows what He is doing and exercises His authority for He, ‘remembers his covenant’. God has been fulfilling his oath to Abraham ever since he gave it, for He is faithful. He is working to bring you and the rest of His people into the promised land. No other authority can have jurisdiction over your life. Yes, you may walk through times of poverty, success, hardship, brokenness, celebration and comfort. Yet, always God is in control. He has His plan and He will stick to it for He remembers ‘his holy promise’. 

Consider the life of Joseph (v16 - 45), he had a privileged upbringing in his youth, then his life radically changed as he spent a significant proportion of his adult life enslaved and imprisoned. It must have been very difficult for Jospeh to have become a bound man instead of a favoured one. How could he see where God was in that, or understand what He was doing? What about the promises and the dreams he had been given? Yet it was all in God’s plan. God was present and still in charge, He knew what He was doing. It was not because of the jealousy of Joseph’s brothers that Joseph ended up in this position, as i have always thought, but because ‘he (God) had sent a man ahead of them’. God used the family dynamics and the jealousy in order for His people to have life in the future. God, ‘sent a man’, It was God’s choice, He sent Joseph. Joseph was not gotten rid of or sold, but sent. Unbeknown to himself or anyone else, Joseph was sent to Egypt by God. God had planned for this to happen for He had a purpose greater than Joseph being a son and a brother. Joseph was to become a rescuer of God’s people. God purposed for the life of Joseph to look like this so that God’s kingdom could to come to Egypt, and ultimately His people could reach the land of promise generations later. 

God has a plan for the future for all of His people. That means that yes, suffering happens, but none of it is without purpose. God is always present and in charge, and He has a plan that your life will display His glory. Maybe you will end up imprisoned, accused, suffering, but that doesn’t mean that you have failed or God has left. As the life of Joseph shows, God can use any situation to display His kingdom. God used Joseph’s imprisonment to save the lives of millions of people, His purpose was salvation. It meant that life was difficult for Joseph for many years, but Joseph had to experience enslavement and imprisonment in order to be in the right place at the right time, for God, ‘had sent a man ahead of them’. All was in the plans and purposes of God. So, i wonder what God is preparing you for. When life is hard and you feel abandoned, overlooked, mistreated or persecuted, take heart. God always has a plan for His name to be glorified, and He is using you to achieve it! Joseph was ordained by God to become a ‘ruler’ and ‘to teach his elders wisdom’. This resulted in God’s people being transformed from a season of famine to fruitfulness! But the story of God’s people doesn’t stop there. The nation of Israel was then enslaved by the Egyptians, and Moses and Aaron were equipped and commanded to lead the them out from Egypt. From being slaves they left with riches! They witnessed miracles, hardship, and felt hunger but the sun never scorched them and the cold never overcame them, for God sent cloud and fire. God so loves and cares for His people, and He remembers and fulfils ‘his holy promise’. 

The story of Israel’s salvation and gaining the promised land wasn’t an easy one, so don’t expect your life to be either! Yet do not fear when trouble comes. God isn’t punishing you, He is preparing you. He needs you to depend and rely upon Him, so open your eyes to see the miracles and favour that He is giving you even within the difficult situations. God is using you to display your kingdom in a way that will glorify His name and be for the benefit of His people. Just like he did with Jospeh, Moses and Aaron. Therefore, when troubling times come, do not despair. Instead; ’call upon his name’, tell of his wondrous name’, ‘seek the Lord and his strength’, ‘remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgements he uttered’, ‘keep his statutes and observe his laws’ and then you will have the great and marvellous privilege of walking in the footsteps of Abraham, Joseph, Moses and Aaron to ‘make known his deeds among the peoples’.