30th Mar 26 | 13:54
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Luke 24 50-53 THE BLESSING OF GOD 15 27May2022 Luke 24 50-51 God’s name is lifted up
📖 Luke 24:50-53
15 – 27May2022 – God’s name is lifted up - Luke 24:50-53 - THE BLESSING OF GOD - Bible reading: Daniel 6:20-22
“Thank You, Lord Jesus, that we can enjoy the fullness of Your blessing. We are blessed to be those who conquer the places of our daily vocation. In doing so, we are being Your witnesses. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.”
Luke 24:50-51 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. (51) Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
We continue to study the creation blessing.
Genesis 1:28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
We are looking into the second group within the creation blessing, which is to fill the earth and subdue it.
We are to conquer and be people of excellence in all that we do. In being those who subdue our places, which we have filled, we are being witnesses to Christ and we bring Him glory.
Here is a wonderful example of how Joseph conquered his workplace. Joseph was being a witness to God in this situation.
Genesis 41:33-40 "Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. (34) Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. (35) And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. (36) Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine."(37) So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. (38) And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" (39) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. (40) You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you."
Joseph was brought before Pharoah, to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph gave the interpretation. Joseph could have decided that his job was over and there was nothing more for him to do in that circumstance.
We see how Joseph begins to conquer the situation. Joseph gave a brilliant suggestion for food security. This was God at work in and through Joseph, at a particular moment in history. God saved many people alive from the famine because Joseph had conquered his situation. Yes, we must discern the ways of God and be led by the Holy Spirit, to conquer.
Later, when Joseph’s brothers apologise for all that they had done to him, this is Joseph’s response.
Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
When we conquer our workplaces, we will be instruments for the glory of God.
Daniel conquered his workplace and the Lord’s purposes were accomplished through Daniel.
Daniel 6:3-4 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. (4) So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.
Daniel conquered his workplace so effectively that even his enemies, who searched his life and work, through a microscope, could find no fault. God was being lifted up through the conquering work of Daniel.
Darius, the king, was troubled over what might have happened to Daniel, after he was thrown to the lions.
Daniel 6:20-22 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, " Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" (21) Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! (22) My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."
Daniel was able to lift up the name of God through his work and even when those who opposed him, sought to harm him. God was doing His great work in and through Daniel, as Daniel conquered his workplace.
History records for us that King Darius was instrumental in the rebuilding of the temple.
Ezra 6:14-15 So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. (15) Now the temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.
As we conquer our workplaces and lift up Jesus, history will be written afresh. God's name is lifted up.
Thought to ponder
Are you conscious that in God’s hands, you can write history?