Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
The people of Joseph said to
Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an
inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.”5 “If you are so
numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small
for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the
land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.” The
people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the
Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both
those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.” But
Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous
and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment but the forested hill country as well.
Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have
chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them
out.” Joshua Chapter 17
verses 14 to 18.
The Israelites thought their lives
would end any moment as Pharaoh and his chariots followed them in hot pursuit.
Unknown to them, that would be the end of Pharaoh’s oppression of the Israelites
in any form as Pharaoh and his chariots were drowned in the red sea. Please
read Exodus Chapter 14 verses 13 to 16, 21 to 22.
The miraculous crossing of the Jordan illustrates the
truth of God’ word; that with God, nothing is impossible. This also implies
that you can easily cross any Jordan which stares you in the face if you choose
to walk with God. Please read Joshua Chapter 3 verses 15 to 17.
With God on your side, you can also command the elements
of creation to work in your favor when you are at a disadvantage. Joshua
commanded the sun to stand still so he could finish a battle he was fighting and
the sun actually stood still until Joshua and his soldiers were done fighting.
Please read Joshua Chapter 10 verses 12 to 14.
You can also turn the disadvantage of small spaces into
large spaces by taking on territories besides you. Simply, put, enlarge the
place of your tent as Manasseh and Ephraim did in Joshua Chapter 17 verses 16 to 18.
Enlargement can also come through conscious and
deliberate acts of fruitfulness targeted at multiplication in spite of negative
prevailing circumstances. Despite being slaves in Egypt coupled with the harsh
treatment the Israelites suffered from the Egyptians, the Bible records that
they increased greatly because they were fruitful and they multiplied. Please
read Exodus Chapter 1 verse 7.
Joseph turned his prison time and experience into a time
of rendering quality service to his fellow prisoners. He cared about their well
being and took notice when the butler and baker were sad. Joseph’s concern for
their well being led Joseph to interpret the dreams of both men correctly. Not
quite long, a great opportunity came for the butler to remember Joseph’s dream
interpreting abilities. The butler mentioned Joseph to Pharaoh and hastily
Joseph was brought out of prison, groomed and dressed up appropriately to stand
before Pharaoh. That was the end of prison, slavery and whatever else was not
in line with Joseph’s dreams about himself being at the top. He had emerged at
the top and would remain at the top, no more a slave and a prisoner. God had
helped him to turn what appeared to be a disadvantage into an advantage.
Beloved, do not be ashamed of what appears to be a
disadvantage in your life. It might be the stepping stone you require to
greatness and honor.
It is even ironic that what appears to be a satanic yoke
eventually becomes an advantage when God intervenes in the situation. The woman
who was bent over for eighteen years was set free to become completely whole
when Jesus Christ intervened in the situation. She could stand straight and
tall and walk straight and tall. The yoke of the enemy had been destroyed by
the reason of the anointing. Jesus Christ Who always brings in abundance and
life had destroyed the works of the enemy. Please read John Chapter 10 verse
10, Isaiah Chapter 10 verses 27, Nahum Chapter 1 verse 13 and Luke Chapter 13
verses 10 to 16.
Hannah suffered untold emotional trauma and humiliation
from the caustic tongue of Peninah, her co-wife. What was Hannah’s offense for
which Peninah tormented Hannah with her verbal toxicity? Hannah had no children
and come to think of it, how was that any of Peninah’s concern? After all
Peninah had children of her own and considering how children are prized in some
cultures and marriages, Peninah was the one at an advantage. Yet Peninah was
the unhappy one. Why, you may ask? Peninah’s daily harassment of Hannah is a
pointer to the turmoil and unhappiness in her heart. What could probably be
responsible for her unhappiness? Perhaps, Elkanah’s great love for Hannah and
his possible preference for Hannah over her made Peninah unhappy. Therefore, to
make Hannah miserable, she tormented Hannah with the fact that Hannah had no
children. But that was only a temporary fact as the truth of Hannah’s life was
that she had children; not because children emerged later but because Scripture
cannot be broken. The Bible records that none shall be barren in the house of
the Lord and in the fullness of time; there was a manifestation of that
Scripture when Hannah realized that Peninah was not her problem. Rather, her
problem was to reconnect with God and the moment Hannah did so, children came
in quick succession and Peninah’s name was never heard again. Beloved, what you
think is a disadvantage which causes you pain and shame because people have
ridiculed and mocked you is actually a
stepping stone to your greatness and honor designed by God for you from the
foundation of the world. Please read 1st Samuel Chapter 1 verse 11. Hannah’s vow changed the script Peninah had
been acting and suddenly Peninah’s acting skills came to a grind.
David’s decision to go fight Goliath despite the
intimidating stature of Goliath and his experience as a soldier helped David
become famous in Israel. .
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