*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*THE ENEMIES AT THE GATE.*
,*Scripture Treasure.*
Gen 41:14 *Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
The enemies at the gate of your life may be standing in your way as gatekeepers to prevent your destiny, but God will grant you favor to pass through their gates.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, dealt with Joseph unfairly. It is estimated that Joseph must have gone through 13 years in his troubles.
He was 17 when he had the dream (Gen 37:1-5), and he was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh (Gen 41:46).
His imprisonment may have been two years out of these 13 years. This is because Pharaoh had a dream after two full years
(Gen 41:1).
Pharaoh stood between Joseph and his destiny. He was an enemy at the gate of Joseph's life.
It is either he is justified for a release by Pharaoh or he rots to die in prison.
There are reasons why we often pray that God may remove or kill our enemies, but God may not, but let them remain there.
We will mention two reasons:
Firsr, God may keep an enemy at the gate to achieve a divine will
Pharaoh stood at the gate of Joseph's progress.
There are people like Pharaoh who stand as enemies at the gates.
We may pray that they get out of our ways, but they may remain there because God wants them there in order to achieve a divine purpose.
There was no way Joseph could pray Pharaoh out his way because God needed him for Joseph's rise to power.
So, as far as God was concerned, the only prayer or wish Joseph could have is that he may receive a favor from Pharaoh.
There are strongholds like Pharaoh, and God keeps them there.
For example, He kept Nebuchadnezzar for a while calling him his servant, Jer 27:6.
Though conquering an enemy is the ultimate of any believer, the scriptures however opens our eyes to how we could obtain favor from an enemy rather than putting an end to the enemy.
Prov 16:7 *When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.*
For Joseph to pass through the enemy gates, he had to obtain his favor to pass through Pharaoh's checkpoint.
For God to achieve His covenant (Gen 15:13), He had to keep Pharaoh alive in order to fulfill His divine will for Israel through Joseph.
Second, some enemies may need to be alive to see God's redemptive power at work in our lives. God may keep them so that they may see their shame while we bask in our glory. Ps 23: 5 *Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.*
Are you praying that God kills your enemies?
Yes, He can and will, but if your enemies do not die, do not worry. This is because God has chosen to keep them there to achieve His divine will for your life.
*Remorse corner.*
Pharaoh needed to live so that Joseph may rise in Pharaoh's time (ref Exd 1:8).
*Call to Word action.*
Psalm 127:5 *Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies at the gate.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
God has kept your enemies at the gate so that you may live, not to be ashamed but to boldly confront and speak to them at the gate.
*Prayer.*
Lord, grant me favor to pass through my enemies standing to obstruct me at the gates of my destiny, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.
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