SUCH A SHOWOFF!

Well hello there dear gist partner. 

How’s it going today? I hope all is going well for you and that you are staying connected to God. 

Welcome to today’s gist. 

I was reading the book of Joshua a couple of days ago and I noticed something really intriguing and I thought to share. 

Chapters 3 and 4 of the book of Joshua records the account of the children of Israel crossing the River Jordan, my dwelling point today isn’t about the way the miracle of the crossing manifested, you should read it though –many lessons to be learnt, my emphasis is on what the Bible records in verse 15 of Chapter 3, the Bible says: “and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest),” (ESV) The emphasis here is on the time of the year, the children of Israel where crossing –harvest time, the period when the Jordan typical overflows ALL its banks. 

Chapter 4:18 goes on to record: “And when the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord came up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up on dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before.” (ESV)

Now what does this tell us? God was making a statement with this miracle. Imagine that it was at any other time when the Jordan wasn’t overflowing that the Israelites crossed, dem for fit say “ehen na, na because water no plenty for river again, dry land dey some places na im make dem fit waka on-top”, so to prove beyond all shadow of doubt that indeed this was the hand of El-Shaddai that wrought it, the Lord did it during the harvest time, no one could refute such a blatant display of power! That kind thing no dey happen!!!

You never drink water drop cup oo, stroll to Joshua 10. After the Gibeonites had used fraud to obtain a promise of preservation from the hands of the Israelites, that one na story for another day, Adonibezek gathered 4 other kings to do war against the Gibeonites. The Gibeonites cried out to Joshua and God gave the Israelites go-ahead to defend the Gibeonites. No, we’re not talking about the sun standing still, cool story though –you should check it out, we’re talking about the stones that God threw down from Heaven. See what Joshua 10:11 says: “And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.” (ESV) Na me underline for emphasis. You hear wetin Bible talk? With all the fighting that the Israelites did, valiant display of military might if I might add, dem no kill reach the ones wey God use stone kill. COME ON!!

And as I was thinking on these two stories, I realized something: GOD IS SUCH A SHOWOFF! 

Before you give into the temptation to stone me, hear me out. The truth is that God loves to display His power in a manner that leaves no doubt as to Who has done it and that no one else can do it. He specializes in extravagant displays of his might and believe me, it is always wonderful to see! There is nothing about God’s hand at work that is not awe-inspiring, e go steady blow your mind. 

Why did I come here to tell you God is a Showoff? Because I want to tell you that God is constantly looking for people to show-off through, He’s always in search of situations to show forth His awesomeness and there is no one who has ever given themselves up to God that God has not shown mighty wonders through, from Bible times till today! God is constantly in the business of manifesting Himself through His children but He won’t force you, He will only use you if you decide to allow yourself be used by Him, trust me, your life will never be the same again, and in a marvelously delicious way!!!

Basically, I just came to encourage you today; look at that really daunting situation you’re going through, that terrible mountain that is looming over you, that’s an avenue for God to show-off! But He won’t show off until you invite Hin into the situation and give Him the reins concerning the situation, turn it over to Him and watch Him use that situation to make you a sign and a wonder. 

May Hod help us to avail ourselves for Him to show forth His power through us. 

TUNES AND THOUGHTS: our song recommendation for the week is “Let it show” by Kaestrings. This song is a cry to God for an experience with Him, it is a plea to the Lord to so tangibly touch you that everyone who comes in contact with you knows immediately that you’ve met with God. The chorus goes: “Give me substance, give me proof, give me presence, give me You. Give me substance, give me proof, give me presence, let it show that I’ve met with You.” That should be the cry of all our hearts as Christians, that it becomes evident to all who see us that we have touched God. It is a cry for deeper encounters and greater experiences and I pray that you make this your heart cry, remember, He has not called the seed of Jacob to seek Him in vain (Isaiah 45:19); cry, He will answer!

Well that is that about that as far as that is concerned, see you next week!

Love, 

Achenyo. 

PS. I can’t remember the last time I did this race against time to post.