LET GOD LIFT YOU UP!
LET GOD LIFT YOU UP!
As a Yoruba native speaker, I find it exciting to praise and extol Jesus in my native language. So for example we call Jesus “The king who elevates a slave to the position of a prince.” This is the case of Joseph the son of Israel (Jacob). His brothers had envied him because he was their father’s favourite and because he had told them a dream he had that they would one day all bow down to him. This angered and upset his brothers so much that they sold him into slavery. But God was with Joseph and God eventually took him to the palace of Pharaoh as a Prime Minister in Egypt. “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you. So Pharaoh said to Joseph,” I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:40-41 NIV What an honour!
Prior to this time Joseph had been imprisoned out of no fault of his. He had refused the sexual overtures of his boss’s wife who then raised a false alarm against him. In prison, he met two personal staff from the king’s household and when one was released from prison he promised to put in a good word concerning Joseph’s release as well. But alas, he forgot.
Dear friends the arm of flesh will surely fail us only God can never fail. It is best to put our hope and trust in Him. God lifted Joseph even when he was rejected by family. Only God can do the lifting and it will be much more than we or anyone could ever do in our own power.
The same God has not changed. And He can do again what He has done before. Let us trust Him.
This is what the Bible tells us: “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” Psalm. 3:3 KJV
Similarly there was the story of David the king of Israel. His family did not attach much importance or significance to him.
Even David’s biological father did not think much of him. So little did his own father think of David that when the prophet Samuel came to their family house as instructed by God to anoint the next king of Israel from one of the sons of Jesse, David was not presented as a son. He was not even remembered. He was left where he was tending his father’s flock while seven sons of Jesse were paraded before the prophet. Samuel got carried away by the looks and physical statures of some of Jesse’s sons until God spoke to him and he requested for their other son David. As soon as David appeared God commanded Samuel to anoint him. David had not waltzed in with a chip on his shoulder. No. He was diligently keeping his father’s sheep when he was called and he came having no idea that his life was about to change forever.
The Word of God tells us that God delights to lift up those who are humble. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 NIV And because humility is so important to God, the instruction for us to be humble is doubled unto us. “But he gives us more grace. That is why scripture says: God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.” James 4:6 NIV
In the past couple of weeks I have had to attend a few funerals. And two things struck me clearly each time. The first thing is that no one gets out of here alive. The second thing is that we take absolutely nothing with us.
Therfore we must make the most and the best use of our time here. We must make it meaningful and impactful. Yet only God can give us the grace to be useful for His kingdom.
Does it appear that you are in a down and out situation right now?
Does it seem that you have been rejected by friends and family members?
Have you been forgotten by your superiors who keep passing you by for that promotion?
Please do not fear.
God came through for Joseph.
God will come through for you too.
Joseph was elevated beyond recognition.
Let us stop fighting or struggling to gain attention. Let God lift us up.
God remembered David and preferred him to become king. Do not stop being committed to your work. God will lift you up from there.
Trust in God alone.
Yes God may decide to use someone to be a blessing or a helper but He is still God.
David did not start worshipping Samuel because Samuel anointed him. His trust remained in God and thus he was able to defeat Goliath the giant when the time came.
“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel 17:45 NIV
We are also assured as follows: “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.” Psalms 75:6-7 KJV
Our God has not and will never change.
He is still doing great and marvellous things
Let us trust Him alone for our lifting.
LET GOD LIFT US UP!
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©