This Sunday, was yet another blessed Sunday in NLBC, Bethnal Green. It was even more of a blessing to have the opportunity to part take of a word shared by Superintendent John Glass. It’s amazing to explore the depths of one simple, yet complex short verse.
Genesis 49:22 says “Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall”.
Now initially, you may recollect the three stages of the life of Joseph, (1) The Pit; (2) The Prison; and (3) The Palace. You may even go further to consider what it means to be a “fruitful bough”. But this simple verse speaks greater volumes than that, as does the life of Joseph in itself. “Joseph is a fruitful bough…by a well”. Not only was Joseph fruitful, but he was planted “by a well”. This well is the source of our strength; it is our constant supply. In remaining by this well throughout his life, as challenges and “walls were built” the depth of his well increased. Because he stays by his resource, the depth of his overcoming is evermore greater and he is perpetually fruitful.
In our lives we face challenges to our faith, these are our walls. If we remain by our well, we can overcome them. Many a time people question God because of the time it takes for prophecies to be fulfilled in their lives or waiting for answered prayers. But what does this say of your level of faith?
Joseph had ‘Top Level Faith’ when sold into slavery in response to the revelation of his Dreams. Daniel had ‘Top Level Faith’ in the face of adversity. He had ‘Top Level Faith’ in the lion’s den and it was this ‘Top Level Faith’ that saw him through a period where it was even unlawful to worship. It’s this level of faith that can not only see you through circumstances, but sees you over your walls.
Remember in Matthew 8:23 – 26, when the disciples woke Jesus up asking for an instant response to the tempest of the sea. Jesus responded in verse 26 by saying “oh you of little faith”. Again in Matthew 16:5 – 8, when the disciples reasoned amongst themselves because they had forgotten to take bread, Jesus responded with “oh you of little faith”. The desire for instant satisfaction, suggests a limitation to your faith. Overcoming walls, as opposed to simply passing through, requires a higher level of faith.
The struggle demands more than the instant answer of prayer. If you don’t get your answer straight away, it may be because your faith is stronger than those whose prayers are answered straight away.
My advice to you is to dig a little deeper, climb a little and higher and overcome greater walls by the depth of your well.
Stay Blessed,
Ruth Oyelakin
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