The halfbaked Bard

The Lord gave David victory, wherever he went. 2 Sam:8:6b David understood this truth when he said in Psalm:1 Whatever he does, prospers.  We need to underline this truth in our hearts as we move on to the new year. A new perception of an unchanging God. God who never changes has always been like that. The promise has always been there. But has it been practicalized in my life?  As a child of God, this is what God has to tell me. Think of it in the view point of an earthly father. Wouldn't I want my child to succeed in the things he does. Of course not in things which are bad for him, nor things which are harmful for him. In the same way, in accordance with the will of God, His plan is to make things prosper for us, give us victories in what all we do.  For He has plans to prosper us.  A child of God who lives in line with his Father's will, will not ask for things nor will he do things which are against His plan. Asking God, seeking His will becomes His ...

Who am I?  What is my worth?  Why have you chosen me?  Why you have not dealt with me as I deserve?  Why have you still sustained my life?  Why do you still love me?  Why did I not perish till date like the people in Noah's times?  Why was I not punished immediately like Korah?  Why me?  Why did you die for me, when I was still your enemy?  Why did you make me seated along with you?  What did I do to deserve all this? 

God never barges in.  God never demands.  He never asks for your possessions.  Neither He asks for sacrifices.  All He asks is to set your hearts for Him To love Him, with all your heart, soul and mind Not that He is lonely and in need of love But that He is love And is overflowing with love No barging in! Only if you let - All He asks is to be a man after His own heart To see things which He sees To think the way He thinks After all, you are created in His own image Marred though you are, fallen as you are No barging in! Only if you let - All He asks is that you enjoy the life abundant Life in its fullness as He promised The love relation the Father, Son and Holy Spirit enjoys He wants to share with you too In knowing Him is eternal life.  In tasting Him is the purpose of your life In fellowship with Him, lies the meaning of your life No barging in! Only if you let - All He asks is that you lie in His bosom For this purpose you were created Fallen t...

How concerned are you about God?  2Sam:7:2 David said, I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent.  What is driving through your heart? Is it about God at all? Or is it about how you can make your future secure and your life pleasurable.  Also your body is the temple of God. How concerned are you about the purity and holiness of it all? The thoughts that you entertain, the words that you speak. The better question to be asked is, Are you concerned about God at all? 

2Sam:6:22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes.  Dignity is something which we strive for. To earn respect from others and especially your subordinates. You will be conscious enough to behave in a proper way. In a formal gathering there is an etiquette. In your office there is a decorum to behave.  In contrast, how do you behave with the person whom you love the most in this world? You crack jokes, you don't mind sounding silly. You wanna enjoy every moment with them. You want them to enjoy every moment with you.  How do you spend time with children? You become like them, imitate their blabbery, enjoy their kiddish talks. You don't think about dignity or poise.  Like David, am I willing to be undignified for God? Am I willing to be ridiculed and sillified for the sake of God. That depends on how much free are you with God. This is not being disrespectful to God, but being free with God whom you love so dea...

2Sam:6:12 The Lord blessed Obed-edom's household and everything he had because of the Ark of God.  The presence of the Lord brings blessings Because He is the source of all blessings Not material, not physical healing alone But mental and emotional too Spiritual upliftment and abundant life Life in its fullness as intended to be Peace and joy to it's fullness Love abundant as from God.  Do you refuse to be blessed?  When there is presence of God in your heart, won't you reflect His attributes?  When there is anger and jealousy and pride, whose presence does it reflect? The Almighty God's? Or His enemy's? 

Immanuel, God with us A promise that is more than sufficient In this lonely world, where all are in their own cocoon A God who will strengthen you, comfort you When you feel all alone You face testing times, God is with us You face difficult times, God is with us You face lonely times, God is with us You face depressed times, God is with us Immanuel, God with us A God who took care of the root cause of man With sin, we cannot approach a Holy God That's why He became sin for us So that we could gain access to throne of grace That we could be heirs of God, co heirs with Christ Jesus the Son of God, came down to die for my sins To redeem me, to rescue me from my sinfulness Do u believe; That's what Immanuel means Immanuel, He understands what you face Immanuel, He strengthens you when tempted Immanuel, He died on your stead on the cross Immanuel, He received your punishment Immanuel, He did this out of love, He redeemed Immanuel, He loves you for eternity Immanuel, He ...

Love is good, in love there is freedom But not compromising on respect A child loves his father, wouldn't dare to disrespect Even as a friend he sees him But his love is shown in his reverance Uzzah understood it the hard way May be he had good intentions But the Ark is supposed to be handled in a holy way.  Where is my reverance these days?  To my Father in Heaven, Holy, Almighty King of kings, Lord of Lords.  When I sit with the Word, when I pray When I listen to His voice Through His anointed prophets What is my demeanor, what is my stance?  Where is my reverance?  Where is my reverance these days?  When I am alone in my bed What thoughts wander through my mind Clinging on to the modern day idiot box in my hand What all I see? What all I hear?  Thinking no one is near Forgetting the promise in Matt:28:20 Where is my reverance?  Where is my reverance these days?  When I am with my gang, in a holiday mood.  What do I talk, w...

1Sam:5:17-25 When the Philistines set their army against the newly ordained king of Israel, David might have been full of vigour to attack them back. Newly appointed king, a new army, a new capital. People are all set for a new beginning.  David, but does not rely on his own instincts. He just plainly asks the Lord - should I go out to fight the Philistines? The Lord says yes.  The second time when the Philistines attack again, David does the same thing. He asks the Lord again. The Lord likes the way David asks him so plainly and replies - do not attack them straight on, but circle around them.  And David did exactly what the Lord commanded.  Can we be so plain before God? Asking Him even the smallest decisions we have to take? It is not being silly. It is not being dunce or being a dimwit. It comes out of a realisation that without God's help i can do nothing.  Jesus says about the vine branches in John:15:5 Apart from me you can do nothing.  J...

1Sam:5:10 And David became more and more powerful because the Lord God of Heaven's Armies was with him.  David got military strength_ because the Lord of Heavenly Armies was with him.  You will be able to love. Or do you feel unloved?_ God is love.  You will have peace_ because He is the Prince of Peace.  Do you feel helpless?_ He is the Mighty God.  Fearful of death?_ He is the Everlasting Father. Do you struggle with pride?_ He humbled Himself in obedience to God.  Struggling with sin?_ He is the Holy One.  Do you feel all alone?_ we have a High Priest who sympathises with our weakness. Whatever your struggle is, the solution of it all is Jesus, because He is the epitome, He is the source, He is the ultimate.  Phil:4:19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His glorious riches, given to us in Christ Jesus.  He wants to give according to His standard, not based on our desires. Just ask. 

Man's basic nature is to shift stands. Man's elementary character is to cling on to what seems to last for him. It is easy for him to change his opinion and beliefs, depending on the ease of circumstances. Israel till the death of Ishbosheth was after him and against David. The moment Ishbosheth dies, they look to David as king.  Therefore shifting your stands makes you a person with lack of integrity. Clinging on to your beliefs makes you a person with rectitude. But it would be advisable if those beliefs are centred around the will of God. You can even believe in any ideology. But again it is expedient if it is noble and true.  We can believe in something which we believe as truth and ultimately turn out to be a fool.  Psalm:14:1 The fool says in his heart "There is no God" Believe in the right things and then cling on to it. 

A man of integrity, never wavers from his convictions and beliefs. He sticks on to what he holds as truth, no matter what. Whether it is favourable news or unfavourable news, his actions reflect his stance. None would be able to convince him otherwise.  Just like David who was convinced that killing innocent blood should be punished, be it his subject or his enemy. That made him a righteous king. 2 Sam 4. Compromising and jeopardizing on your stand and acting according to the situation is the antonym of probity. It is unfairness. It is corruption. It is lack of integrity.  And what is the key to integrity? What is the key to consistently obey God?  Psalm:119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 

David mourns for Abner's death. His enemy's side. How is it possible to cry for your enemy's death?  Is it possible to love someone who hurt you? Is it possible to love him who is against you? To care for him when he is in trouble? Our first response would be, "serves him right" Rom 5:10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies.  Christ could do it on the cross and be an example for us. He did what He preached - Love your enemies. 

How is it even possible? Mary is not of that type. I know she loves me. Her love to me has no boundaries. Unconditionally she loves me. Through her love only I came to know how much more my Father in heaven loves me. She cares for me. She forgives me without keeping a list. She loves her God too. She fears her Father. She would never commit this sin because I know her completely like no one else does. I know for sure, more than she loves me, she loves her God. She hopes for the Messiah. She would never commit this wretched sin. She knows the consequences. Not out of the fear of consequences, but out of her love to God, she would never do this. I'm sure.  But who would believe me? She is pregnant. The fact remains a truth. It's disgrace for me. It's disgrace for my family. She says she had a vision. How could someone be pregnant by just a vision. She might be true, I know her. She wouldn't lie. But how am I supposed to believe this? What will my friends tell ...

Though for the time being Joab chose to forgive Abner, when an opportune time comes for him to avenge the death of his brother,  he acts and kills Abner. A sad ending of the story of a man who could have been a walking testimony - harbouring grudge all his life. What has it resulted in? A curse from David.  2 Sam:3:28-29 open sores or leprosy or walks on crutches or dies by sword or begs for food.  Harbouring evil will only sicken you, bring in curse. God wouldn't be able to bless you. Because of His holy nature. That abundant life in you is lacking probably because of this. Might not be grudge. Might be anger, might be lustful fantasies, might be not taking a stand amongst your colleagues, may be a habit of white lie.  1 Pet:1:16 Be holy, because I am holy. 

2 Sam:2:18 - 3:1 2Sam:2:28 So Joab blew the ram's horn and his men stopped chasing the troops of Israel.   Asahel was said to be as swift as a gazelle and was chasing Abner, when he was killed by him. Seeing the death of his brother, Joab who was chief of David's army chases Abner. That is when Abner shouts out to Joab, "Must we always be killing each other? Don't you realize that bitterness is the only result?" V:27 Joab said, "God only knows what would have happened if you hadn't spoken. " He chooses not to avenge., for the time being.  Forgiveness is a choice, while bitterness is not, it is a natural instinct. Choosing to forgive and harbouring bitterness doesn't go hand in hand.  Do you forgive like this? Putting a full stop to your emotions and your wrong choices? That you realize, you are going the wrong path and choose to stop, blow the horns and turn back. If you haven't been able to yet, ask of His abundant grace. He will...

(2Sam 2) The people of Judah after Saul's death, anointed David as king, based on God's promise.  Where as the others including Ephraim and Benjamin tribes ordained Ishbosheth, son of Saul as their king.  David asked God where he should go and God answered him to go to Hebron.  Where as the others chose Mahanaim for themselves.  Who are you loyal to? Your Father in heaven who directs your every path, who has plans to prosper you, who loves you as you are?  Or are you loyal to yourself, your logic, your reasoning, your desires and your plans?  What do you want to pursue in life? Your desires ot God's?  Ttp: Will you be able to say no to your deepest desire /plan if you realize it is not God's? 

Courtesy - Love your enemy (Sculpted by Timothy Scmalz)  2 Sam:1:17-27 Continuing on David's thoughts about Saul - Saul had only given him misery. But once he learnt of Saul's death he only has words of praise for the Lord's anointed one. The accomplishments his sword has achieved and not the personal grudge he had against him. David weeps on a serious note for Israel, for the loss of its king.  Why can't we see the good of others; why can't we cry over others who have tortured us - is it because we are so myopic that we can only see the wrong they did to us - then is it not self centredness and self love?  1Pet:4:7 Love covers a multitude of sins.  You are asked to love your enemies in fact - those who have wronged you and that will cover a multitude of sins that they have done to you What is the example we have in Christ?  Rom:5:10 - For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his son, while we were still His enemies......  ...

2 Sam 1 David had always been running away because of Saul. Saul was always after him. He was his enemy.  But when he learnt that Saul has been killed as confessed by an Amalekite, David orders his men to execute him, saying how dare you kill the Lord's anointed one.  We might not kill, but do we despise? There might be ministers whose teachings we cannot agree. There might be authoritarians who might be so corrupt. There might be our own bosses or teachers who are partial and rude to us for no reason. But that is between God and them. Who am I to judge them and thereby despise them. He /She is on authority as ordained by God, the Supreme Ruler.  If you can't agree or accept his teaching, do not accept. But do not despise or show disrespect.  If you are being cornered by your boss, it is allowed by God for some time. Do not despise.  If the rulers of the nation are fully corrupt and partial, believe that God is in control. Yet do not despise. 

The last portion of Genesis.  7 years of famine is over. Joseph could very well take the initiative to take the Israelites back to Canaan, the promised land. It was in Joseph's mind always, to go back to the promised land, as promised by God to his forefathers. Jacob had told him about this vision when he blessed. But he knew it was not the time. He was willing to wait.  Now he is 110 years old. He knew that he was about to die. But he still clings on to the promise of God. Promise to his fathers. He is sure God in His time, He will take. He need not do anything. Ultimately Joseph dies in Egypt without being able to go to the promised land.  I need not do. He will take in His time. I just have to trust in the Almighty's hands that will take care of me with the best plan for me.  May be you are tired of waiting - In His time.  May be you are in a hopeless situation - In His time.  In faith are you waiting for an alliance, but God has been continu...

Gen:50:14-21 Joseph's brothers never understood him. They did not understand the gem that he is - neither when they were young, nor when they were in Egypt. Even after their father died, they are fearful that Joseph would repay his grudge over them and they send him a message, threw themselves down before Joseph. Seeing their misconception about him, Joseph broke down and wept.  May be there is no one who understands you; you have been misunderstood all day long; may be because of your naivety and innocence; may be you are that irritating guy in the gang; though you never intended it all. In secrets of your bed, may be seeing all  these you might have broken down and wept.  May you respond the way Joseph responded. V:21b. So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.  Matt:7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them to do to you.  Be kind to them when they persecute you.  It's difficult to counter cruelty with kindness. But b...

A semicolon tatoo is used to express solidarity against suicide, depression and other mental health issue - indicating, life doesn't end here. It continues with hope and faith.  A semicolon in English grammar also means a pause, which is intended to continue into another clause. It's not a full stop, but indicates a perpetuation.  Gen:49:18 I trust in you for salvation, O Lord.  This verse comes in between, Jacob's blessings of his sons. He was doing something really important. And suddenly he remembers a prayer to utter. Not as a tradition. But suddenly he remembers to utter a prayer of trust. It was his prayer always, in between other important and non important things - in present continuous tense.  How imperative it is to relate to your Father, in between your busy and non busy hours.  In between your work, in between your studies. Take a power break, talk to Him. Gather strength and be rejuvenated and then get back to work. Alone you would lose ...

Gen 49.10 The scepter will not depart from Judah Nor the ruler's staff from his descendants Until the coming of the one to whom it belongs The one whom all nations will honour.  This is the blessing of Jacob over his son, Judah. We all know Jesus was born of the lineage of Judah. Or is it about David and his descendants to be king forever? Not al all. After the exile we know that the sons of David lost the kingship. Christ is the ruler to whom it all belongs, though it was given over to satan as a result of the fall.  2 Cor:4:4 addresses satan as the God of this world. Luke:4:6 justifies his own claim. But it is all temporary. John:12:31 - he will be cast out.  And what is rightfully His, He will reclaim.  The King of kings, the Lord of Lords.  The Almighty King The victorious Jesus.  The Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  Phil:2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow In heaven and on earth and under the earth An...

Gen 31.43 Jacob addresses God as God of my father - God of Abraham and the fearesome God of Isaac  Several years later in Gen 48.15 he says - "May the God before whom my grandfather Abraham and my father Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life, to this very day." "Their God" has changed gradually to "my God" - over the years as he experienced God face to face in his sojourn. Where he has seen the hand of God providing for him, protecting him, blessing him, correcting him, relating to him, prompting him to repent and correct himself. God has become a personal God. Not as a God who would dance according to his whims and fancies. But a God who loves him personally as a father would love his son.  We understand this uniqueness and personal nature of this God, much more because of the cross. A God who does all things as He did for Jacob, He also held Himself responsible for the root cause of our rebellion and paid the penalty.  A ...

Gen:47:31 Israel bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.  Not just of old age. But of the dislocated hip that happened in Peniel.  Man who made himself through hard work and toil. Through striving and deceiving. Now leans on a staff because he cannot stand on his own. He humbles himself because the staff constantly reminds who he really is, his inherant nature. A deceiver.  Some things stay with us life long in order to remind us who we are. A thorn in the flesh was always there in the life of the greatest disciple of Jesus in order to keep him humble. These thorns are angels, says a Malayalam song writer.  We often pray, fast and submit prayer requests for these staffs and thorns to go away. But little do we realize that, it is these staffs and thorns that keep us humble, in need of God. Staffs and thorns make us realize who we really are, our intrinsic nature - rebels, self centred, prideful.  Let us thank God for the staff and thorns in our li...

The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty Gen 47:9 These are the words of a heal grabber, blessing snatcher, stealer, cheater, deceiver, liar who changed gradually. He realizes the truth that his life is a pilgrimage, a sojourn. He understands who he really is, towards the fan end of his life. That he has been running frantically and uselessly all these years.  There is no permanent residency here on this earth, beloved one. We are all pilgrims. Hoarding up things or fame or name is futile. We have an inheritance to have up there in heaven, to be enjoyed for eternity.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going . John 14:2‭-‬4  Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin des...

Gen 46:33- 47:6 When Israel and his family comes to Egypt, Joseph insists that they would tell that they are shepherds, when Pharoah asks them. Because the Egyptians despised shepherds, he thought, Pharoah would let them live in Goshen. But when Pharoah meets them in person, he offers them the best land in Egypt. Not just Goshen, he offerred them any place they choose. And he also offerred them to be in charge of his livestock too.  When God gives, He gives the best. The best for you. Not the suboptimal ones.  Your wife /husband, your children, your parents, your talents, your field of ministry, your job, your assets, your education - all that you have is the best for you. Because the Grand Weaver is the One who sets things for you.  Do not compare. Do not complain. Do not be unhappy or jealous.  For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  Jer:29:11

Psalm 22:3 God resides on the praises of Israel.  This holy day, let us look back and thank Him for what He has done in our lives - on the cross, He lifted us up from the miry clay, undeservingly while we were still His enemies He loved us, without conditions, He has sustained us from the enemy's snares, He has provided and protected us.  Not by our merit, but by grace. 

As Jacob sets out to Egypt, he comes to Beersheba and builds an altar to worship the God of his father. The God of Isaac had promised to bless him and his descendants in Beersheba. Jacob comes back and remembers the promise.  There is always a role of coming back in your life, where you revisit again and see what God had said, what God had promised, what God had done. And resubmit ourselves into His mighty hands.  A revisit. As to what God had told earlier. This is the last month of 2021. What had God told you last year. Has he fulfilled it? Coming back brings thankfulness. Coming back brings in hope. Coming back increases our faith in the One who called you.  Writing down can be a means to come back. We are inherently ungrateful who keep forgetting. Recently I came across a promise that was given to me regarding my children 3 years back. I had written the date in my Bible itself. I had totally forgotten about it. How beautifully hopeful I have become after the revisit....

Gen:45:24 So Joseph sent his brothers off, and as they left, he called after them, "Don't quarrel about all this along the way" Knowing his brother's character, Joseph might have had an afterthought. He went after them. Please dont quarrel about this. It is all done. It is all finished.  The same message we see on the cross. It is finished. Do not fret. Do not worry. Do not sin. It is all done. All you need to do is to keep looking at the cross and see what the Lord has done.  No ifs or buts.  Only the deed on the cross matters. 

Gen 45:15 Joseph's brothers were able to talk freely with him, only when they understood that he forgave them. Whatever bad they had intended, Joseph has forgiven and has believed that it has happened for their good. Till now they were fearful, now they can deal with freedom.  Dealing with compassion and forgiveness, telling them it's okay, releases both you and them from the bondage of unrest, peacelessness, fear, worries and anxiety. If there is anyone who needs forgiveness today, it is you. Freedom beckons you. Choice to forgive others releases you. 

Joseph's secret to complainless living is his attitude that God is Sovereign. He is in full control. What was intended bad for me, God turns it out for good. Retrospectively we may be able to fit in the pieces of the puzzle. But God already knew. And He is a God who loves me.  The Almighty, All powerful, Sovereign God is my loving Father.  What more do I need? 

Judah owns up the second time. He was the one who suggested to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites. He might have seen the grief of his father. He personally has suffered loss of his two sons in between, Er and Onan. He might have regretted taking that choice.  But now he has got a second chance. Others kept quiet. But Judah speaks up. He owns up to his father regarding his brother Benjamin.  "You may hold me responsible if I don't bring him back to you. Then let me bear the blame forever." Gen 43/9 Similarly he also speaks up before the prime minister of Egypt (who curiously is very inquisitive of their family) - "So please my Lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy and let the boy return with his brothers." Gen 44/33 This is how you learn from your mistakes. Life gives you a second chance, own up for your mistakes and do the right thing the next time. Do not keep doing the wrong things. If the Holy Spirit prompts you, just do it immediately...

Joseph had his dreams, when he was young Now his dreams have become true in Egypt Reuben and his brothers, remembered what they did To their brother, in Egypt when the governor was harsh Jacob had his share of being cheated He remembered how he cheated his father and brother God is no one's debtor He is Sovereign, He is in full control Dear friend, are you going through a testing time Because of harsh treatment from others Are you easily trampled upon Remember God is the Sovereign ruler Just like Joseph, He will lift you up in the right time But can we reply, even if He doesn't I will follow Him, I will cling on.  For in Him I have found out what is called LOVE. 

Majority of the initial 30 years of Joseph's life was toil, harsh treatment and undeserved cruelty. He waited without complaining, without any pride, or being demanding. He waited patiently.  In the right time God restores Joseph's life. All that He promised. Beyond what he could imagine. Second only to the most powerful man of the world.  Friend, are you going through a tough time. Wait patiently. He will restore you at the right time.  1Pet:5:6 Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God and at the right time he will lift you up in honour.  Isa:61:7 Instead of shame you will have a double portion.  Instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion The Lord says...  I will restore to you the years t hat the swarming locust has eaten,the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,my great army, which I sent among you Joel 2:25 Everything that has been lost will be restored unto you. Because you are highly favoured in His eyes....

Gen 41 Two full years Joseph had to wait after his interpretation of the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker. The cupbearer had forgotten Joseph. And Joseph continued in prison (not in a palace) with full of uncertainty. No guarantee that the cupbearer would anytime remember him at all. No surety that he would be set free at all. Without any words of complain about his brothers, Potiphar or his wife, nor about the cupbearer I believe he would have continued in those two years, just like the previous ones, being the prison warden's favourite, being in charge of all other prisoners doing everything meticulously and happily. He had only set backs in his life from all whom he thought loved him. But he was willing to wait. He was willing to do it ungrudgingly.  How do I wait? Restless? Complainingly? Or happily doing our chores as for God. Patiently for the Lord's hand? I believe those two years would have been the most difficult for Joseph. But probably the best, beca...

Recently I heard my father, telling our children, how with great difficulty he has grown and reached this far. With no electricity, how three or four of them had to sit aroung a kerosene lamp to study. How he had meagre food to eat. How many miles he had to walk, because there were no public transport, forget about your own cars. But through it all how God had been faithful. How God has been wonderful in His life and how imperative it is to cling to God. He was also quoting Deutr:11:19. "Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up." I was reminded of the verse today as I sat for my quiet time.  Psalm:44:1 O God we have heard it with our own ears.  Our ancestors have told us All you did in their day In days long ago.  What do we feed our children with? Is it a competitive spirit or a dependant spirit? Are we teaching them to see this world with  the ey...

The Lord was with Joseph.  What does it really mean, when you wish someone, "The Lord is with you"? Many a times we look into Joseph's life and say "The Lord is with you and will help you succeed in everything you do." Yes that is true - in Potiphar's house, in the prison we see Joseph being blessed in this.  But in the prison, there is another phrase which we often miss. Gen:39:21 The Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love.  That is what the presence of the Lord, should assure us of. That I'm loved, especially in prison times. That I would be sure of His faithful love. Not that I should succeed. That is all secondary. Unless I'm rooted in the assurance that I'm unendingly loved by my God, even when I'm all alone in the busy world, even when my own dear ones fail to love me as I am, my God loves me with an everlasting love. This is what should bring you from prison times. This is what you should cling ...

To tear oneself away from sin, requires a lot of will power and self control. Requires a lot of determination, more so a lot of focus on whom you are following, the standards and etiquettes of your Master. It denotes your love and to whom you are loyal to - to yourself? Secret pleasures, protection of your own interests, self centred, filled with self love. Or to your Father who is holy and wholly blemishless.  If you want to tear yourself from something really alluring, wailing a big NO, then your bond to Him must be really strong. Most importantly you should really understand and recognize His love. How unconditionally He loves you. His faithful love to you never fails. It always endures. His steadfast unconditional love. And once you realize that love, it pulls you to Him, rather than pushing you away from sin.  Gen:39:12 Joseph tore himself away. 

In all stories, if the hero is being held misunderstood midway, the climax would be proving him innocent. All support characters would realize their mistakes. And the villian, or the one who had a secret gain out of all this will duly be punished. The hero is picturized as an enduring, long suffering, forbearing, tolerant thread which held the story together and he is duly appreciated and adored. Many a times, real life is not like that and that is exactly why I love the Bible, because it is full of real life characters, rather than superheroes who is loved by all.  One great example is Joseph - who stood for his God and said, "How can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God" And had to suffer because the villianess had the upper hand. We do not see the misunderstanding being reinstated, Potiphar apologizing nor his wife punished. Life goes on. The chain of events lead to another and then to another.  Ultimately we see Joseph in the Prime Minister's chair...

Gen 39 The Lord was with Joseph He suceeded in everything he did Potiphar saw that the Lord was with him The Lord began to bless his household Because of Joseph's sake.  Psalm:1:3c says Whatever they do, prosper.  About whom? Those who stay away from the wicked, the sinners and the mockers and more importantly, those who delight in the law of the Lord and meditates it day and night.  All of us, want to be successful, in what we venture out. No matter how spiritual we are, we do not want to be called a failure. We hope and pray that whatever we do, would go well - be it our studies, be it our work, be it a new job opportunity or an interview to attend, be it trying out hands in unprecedented waters, be it our ministry we want to be successful. Joseph's life and Psalm 1 are the key to it.  I'm not saying, we can see God as a success generator. But think the other way. If you pursue God and His heart, He will give you ideas and opportunities to venture out a...

(Pic courtesy - moskophoros _ meaning bearer of the calf, one of the earliest depiction of Jesus Christ found in the St. Callisto catacomb in Rome)  Psalm 43:3  Send out your light and your truth Let them guide me.  Let them lead me to your Holy mountain To the place where you live.  Light is quintessential for man to walk. So that he would see where he sets his foot, where he walks, where he is guided. Many a times captives are often blindfolded, so that they wouldn't know where they were going, as a means of torturing them.  So is truth - knowing the truth brings in more clarity. And when you have clarity you can be sure of what you are doing. It brings much freedom.  John:8:32 And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.  Jesus says - I am the light of the world and I am the way, the truth and the life. And He is the One who leads us to the Holy mountain of God. He is the bridge of our salvation. He is the One who made us...

Gen:37:26 We'd have to cover up the crime.  Joseph's brothers thought covering up a crime of lying that the brother was killed, when they had actually sold him to Egyptians was way better than lying the same way, when they had actually killed him. They thought there is a gradation in sin. They thought lying is a less graver sin, where as they were already sinning in jealousy, in pride and in lying.  Isa:64:6. All our righteous deeds are like filthy rags.  When we come to the Holy God we realize our sinfulness and not just our sins. Every sin is a sin in God's eyes. There is no big sin or small sin in God's perspective.  James:2:10 For the person who keep all of the laws except one is guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws.  Hence we need a Saviour. That is the relevance of the Cross. 

Joseph would have been shattered. Not just his dreams or hopes alone. His heart as well. Devastated, wrecked and ravaged. His own brothers, his own family, his own blood betrayed him.  But for Reuben, I would have fallen dead in this cistern, he thought. What shall I think of the beating and bruising and jeering? "What of your dream now?" They made fun. Earlier none of them believed, they ridiculed me. Yes they hated me for that. But now there is physical abuse. Seriously, they did never love me. Aren't they my own dear brothers? What wrong did I do? I thought they would be proud of my dreams too. That through me our family would go greater heights. Don't they understand? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is with us brothers too. Then why did they do this to me?  All alone in this cistern now. I could hear of the drinking and laughing up there. They are happy because they could get rid of me. So, it was not an accident. It was not instinctive or impulsiv...

Joseph was quiet naive. He openly proclaims his dreams to his family. Of course they didn't like it at all.  We ought to be wise in what we say. Can't blurt out everything we think. We have to be cautious. In what we say, to who we say, about whom we say.  Matt:10:16 Therefore be shrewd as snakes and innocent doves.  Why? The world is so corrupted. The world thinks in all construed ways. Because we are sheep among wolves.  May the Lord help us to be wise as well as innocent. 

Gen:37:1-4 A chain of events. What it leads to ultimately is not what was originally intended. Jacob loved Joseph more because he was born of his old age. Because of it the brothers hated him and therefore could not speak a kind word to him.  Can't say who is at fault. Can't bog anyone down.  Jacob - Well! All he did was to love his son. It is not said he hated others.  Joseph - He was just being true to his father, giving a bad report of his brothers.  His own brothers - They were really insecure, having an identity crisis with their brother.  But ultimately the devil uses the opportunity to create unrest.  Hence we have to be cautious. Are we the reason for another man falling? Are we a stumbling block to anyone? Are we the cause of someone's jealousy? Do we show partiality in love? The command given to us is to love your neighbour as yourself. And who is your neighbour? Who the Jew was to the good Samaritan. Are you jealous or filled with hat...

Gen:36:8 Esau moved his settlement away from Canaan to Sier. Why? Because his and Jacob's possessions were too great for the land to support.  So he moved out of the promise, which God gave his fathers. Where as Jacob moved in, comes back to the promise. Similar contrast we see in Lot and Abraham.  Esau as he moves out of the plan of God, he slowly fades away. Though we see his sons as enemies to the nation Israel as they come back to Canaan, we do not see Esau as prominent as Jacob, because he despised the promise of God.  Does your blessing take you away from God? Do you desire for blessings, seeking the will of God? Asking God? Is your blessing a cause for you to fade away from God's presence and purpose? Are you desperate for the blessing so much so that ultimately it will lead you to forget God?  Blessings and miracles are all means to come closer to God, so that you may trust Him more. Not that it would take you further away from God. 

Gen:35:16-29 After the second Bethel experience, Jacob has three disappointments happening on the trot. The death of Rachel, Reuben his first son sleeping with his concubine Bilhah, death of his father Isaac.  Going through Bethel and receiving promises from a faithful God is no guarantee for a care free life.  John:16:33b In this world, you will have trouble.  As children of God, as heirs of God, as co-heirs with Christ, you naturally expect huge turn of events - free of troubles. But the promise, the El-Shaddai God gives is not a disappointment free life, but His everlasting presence with us. But take heart, I have overcome the world. 

Gen:35:1-7 Luke:15:11-32 The choice to return back home is the most onerous but most rewarding. The most arduous but most gratifying.  Whereas choosing not to return, be it out of fear of consequences or persisting on rebellion or equivocality, is because of pride.  Situation changed for the son, when he chose to return back to his father.  Isa:30:15 In returning and rest is your salvation. - NKJV NIV uses the word repentance.  There is a lot of humbling and accepting your wrongs in your homecoming. Vocalizing that you have wronged. Accepting your mistakes. Because we are returning to a Holy God and we had demolished His trust in us. We have shattered and trampled upon His love.  Jacob, when he was instructed to return back to Bethel and build an altar for God, the first thing he does is to get rid of all the foreign gods. And buried did he, them all under the oak of Shechem.  Return with repentance.  Return with heartache that you have dis...