I wrote the following poem because our ladies at Journey Church, have been doing the Bible study, Finding God Faithful, the life of Joseph. Last night as I listened to the video I burst into tears as I heard the part about Jacob blessing Joseph’s two sons.
Joseph had been living in Egypt because his brothers had sold him into slavery when he was just 17 years old. It was thirteen years before he saw his brothers again. It is an amazing story you can read about it in Genesis start in the 12th chapter to get all the background.
But last night it was said he thought his life’s inheritance was lost to him and that he’d never see his family again. But when Jacob blessed his two sons, he told him God had been with him the whole time and not only would there be one tribe there would be two tribes because Jacob took Joseph’s sons to be his own. It’s a custom.
I cried because in my own life I thought I would never rise above all the trials and mess I had made of my life by making wrong choices. I tried so hard, but it seemed the harder I tried the more trouble would find me. I can’t begin to tell you all the heartache and hurt and suffering that was in my life and the hurt I caused; I didn’t try to hurt people, but I did. I could not get free…until one day, God delivered me and totally and completely changed me. I was taken out of the place I grew up and placed in a foreign land… (Lake Worth) for over five years I was in a place of solitude, alone with God. Yes, I was around people, and he brought me to a Church that would heal me, and I could grow and thrive. And only by the grace of God was I restored. He has REDEEMED Me, and I am blessed more than I could ever tell. He restored me to my family and gave me even more family. Church family and new grandbabies. This life I am now living is all because God saw in me a broken, beaten, defeated, unworthy, prodigal child who on her own could not make it. But by the grace of God and loving children of God I was redeemed!!
This is why this story ministers to my heart more than I could write about.
And if God can do it for me…He can certainly, do it for anyone who will surrender to him, love him and give him your full devotion. It is worth more than all the “stuff” or wealth, or earthly gain you could ask for…He said, but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His Righteousness and all these other things will be added to you.
Don’t put it off…I’m talking to YOU…the one reading this…God wants to Redeem your life…Let Him!
Redeemed
At seventeen all seems lost as I struggle in these bonds placed on my hands and feet…
Gone is the life that was treasured and sweet…
Betrayed by my brothers; how could this be?
Sold into slavery, I travel in defeat…
I only wanted them to see…
The dreams I had were not to boast
They were told to them because I loved them most…
Love was not returned; only hate…
Now I’m forced to live behind an iron gate…
How long O God must I suffer and wait?
Years I’ve served, being faithful to my God, mostly though,
It is He, who’s been faithful, my heart is tender and oh so grateful…
At least I’m still alive…
Years come, and years go, but I will never, ever know, the homeland of my birth…
Baker dies, Cupbearer set free, please dear Cupbearer remember me…
Forgotten again by human man…
But my faithful God, will let me rise again…
By God’s design, my family is restored, now I sit here with my father for a blessing from the Lord.
Jacob speaks, he’s now quite old, but with my two sons, I now am told…
You were never forgotten, son divine, you see your sons, they are considered mine…
A two-fold blessing is given today, Redeemed by God, hear me as I say…
Not only is your inheritance intact, but you’re also restored and blessed by our sovereign Lord…
I never thought I’d ever see your face; and all because of God’s loving grace…I’ve seen you, and your sons, who I take as my own… Now I can rest in my eternal home…
And you will live and forever be known…
As Joseph redeemed, you will never be alone…
Double blessings come from Faithful God’s throne!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 24, 2020
