”And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.”3NLT
In Exodus 1, a story is given of the Israelites in Egypt after the reign of Joseph as governor and his death. There came a king who did not know who Joseph was and what he had done for Egypt and the world, and he noticed that the Israelites were numerous, strong and thriving.
He reasoned that they would outgrow them, then take over their nation. He then came up with the idea of slowly turning them into slaves, giving hard labor to men that they may be so inclined to the work that they won’t have time to know their wives and conceive more heirs, all kinds of things to derail and if possible, end them. Yet the Bible says in verse 12, that the more they were afflicted, the more they increased.
It is on such basis that we trace the increase of the children of God regardless of the circumstances that appear to be a threat. It is for such reasons that we trust God as Jireh (provider), and not our sources of income or businesses but instead see them as vessels/ extensions of His hand. It is the same mind that also existed in Paul in our theme scripture, who did not see his imprisonment as shameful or diminishing in any sense for it proved to be spreading the name of Jesus, which was the cause to which he had dedicated his life to.
Child of God, I want to challenge you to observe your life during some of the toughest challenges you may face. Study everything objectively and try to refrain from the urge to complain and be grumpy, I am almost certain based on the consistency and simplicity of the Word that you will notice increase in every stage of affliction.
Such is the reason for our coming to Him with thanksgiving in our hearts, for we understand that all things, including our momentary afflictions, is subject under his feet and above such are we seated with Him. Hallelujah!
Prayer: Father, I thank you for this Word. I thank you for such truths that we have traced and proven from our fathers and into our own lives. I know that you use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and great is the privilege of having your spirit in me enabling me to see things from your perspective. I have learnt how to rule my spirit and not to be found complaining where I should be rejoicing because your ways are always greater than my own or the world’s, and your thoughts ever higher. It in this way that I know my increase there shall be no end, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
CI.
