Sometimes in life we are weighed down, overwhelmed, overburdened, and often completely squashed by the circumstances that we find ourselves in. In times like this, it is easy to lose faith, and we begin to question and pray “OH GOD where are you? GOD what of your promises? GOD why have thou forsaken me?”.
This morning while I was driving, I began to talk to God in the spirit and began thanking him for the things he has done for me lately, and how he has and is still lifting me from glory to glory. As I pondered on the promises of God, the spirit of the Lord laid a word or perhaps a phrase in my heart. He said, “the unpleasant road”. I began to question what these words meant. As I asked, the Lord said to me “Joseph was made to travel the unpleasant road in order that a nation might be saved from famine”. And I asked again Lord, what do you mean? The spirit of God said, “Son, if Joseph was not sold, if he did not travel the road through Potiphar’s house, if he did not end up in prison, he would not have been found”. The spirit of the Lord went on to say, I destined that he would travel that way to the top because I knew that someday, he would be the only source through whom I will bless my people. The Lord said if Joseph had not traveled that road, both my son Jacob and his sons would not have survived the famine, and my people the nation of the Lord would not have been known. The spirit of the Lord then asked me “do you think Joseph enjoyed his experience? I was silent, and he continued “my only begotten son I sent to die, I forsook him in Calvary that salvation might be brought to my people.
As I kept listening in the spirit, the Lord said to me, you are too proud to acknowledge that your eyes can not even see your nose. He said to me, you are too proud, and that is why you think you can be the captain of your life. He said to me if only you will be still and know that I am your God, then and only then will your life be spent in joyous praise and adoration. He said then and only then will your sleep be peaceful. He said then and only then will you live the life that I have prepared and destined for you. He said again “you are too proud” You want to do it by yourself, and I often let you try. Unfortunately, not once have you succeeded without my approval. Then he said, “IF only you will let go of your pride”.
After this encounter, I began meditating on these words spoken by the spirit of God. Had Joseph not been hated and sold, had he not been accused by his master’s wife, had he not been imprisoned, what would have happened. Again the spirit of the Lord said to me, son, I took you from nothing, from the sand and hummus, I made you a human, and by my breath, you live. He said can you recount how many times you have been disappointed with me, how many times you even dared to curse me, how many times you questioned me. Then in a louder voice, he said “CAN YOU” recount? I was busy making a way through the waters, I was busy preparing a place for you, I was busy making plans that will assure you of a future, I was busy preparing blessings of richness that bringeth no sorrows, and you were busy cursing me.
He said, you read my words, but you don’t take them to heart. He said my words are not just literature. He said my words are life and the promises therein are true. I will make a way for you in the wilderness, by the pool of restful waters you shall find rest. For out of you shall flow a fountain of unending rivers. He said I myself shall shield you. Then he concluded if only you will be still and see the finger of God writing in every of your circumstance.
Brethren, I don’t know what you are going through, but the word of God said, “his plans for us are plans of good to give us the end we expect”. The Lord only request one thing from you, he said “BE STILL”. In whatever circumstances you might have found yourself, maybe your family, your community, your friends, your colleagues, maybe the people you are working for their good, do not see anything good in you and are hating, criticizing, and condemning you. The word of the Lord said this day to be still and know that he is God. Like Joseph, we must learn to trust God even when there is no reason to trust.
As you abide in the words of God today, I pray for you that your eyes will see the fulfilment of God’s plans for you. As you remain still while he prepares a place for you, God said I single men out that through them, I might save their families, their community, and their nations. He said, I have never failed, and will never fail. Remain blessed as you travel the unpleasant road.
PEACE BE UPON YOU.
Nwabor Ozioma Forstinus.