Genesis 49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:

Jacob is about to die and he called all his sons to join him so that he could tell them what God was going to do with them. When Jacob gets to Joseph, he briefly summarizes the life of Joseph; Joseph was a fruitful bough that went up and over the wall. Joseph remained by the well, and this is what gave him the strength to overcome the obstacles that were placed in front of him.

God was able to use Joseph to do many great things. The reason Joseph was used of God is because he stayed close to the source of his nourishment, God. Many obstacles where placed in front of him, but because he was faithful to God, he was able to go up and over each wall and God was able to be glorified in his life.

Too often, when we see a wall or an obstacle in our life, we see what we can do to get around the situation. We often fail to see how God has allowed this particular obstacle in our life for HIS glory. When we attempt to go around the obstacles in our life, we will often leave the well of life. God desires that we follow the example of Joseph. Do not abandon God during your trials. Do not look for ways to get out of your trials. Instead look for the lessons that God has for you and by HIS strength, go up and over the wall.

It is not an easy thing to go up and over the wall. However, at the very beginning, the obstacle will always seem difficult and hard to imagine that you would ever overcome. Do not worry about tomorrow and what tomorrow will bring forth. Instead, seek first the kingdom of God. You are planted next to a well of Living Water, draw your strength from the Living Well and start being faithful to learning what God has for you to learn from this obstacle.

As you daily concentrate on what God would have you to learn that day, you will slowly find yourself climbing the wall. One day, you will find that you have concurred the obstacle by the power of God and you will be better off for patiently relying upon the power of God.

Too many refuse to start climbing the wall because all they see is the wall and they forget the fact that greater is HE that is in them then he that is off this world. They forget about the power of God and as such, they do not have the faith to see what God can do through them with this particular obstacle.

The secret to Joseph’s success was the fact that he remained planted by the well. The well gave Joseph the nourishment that he needed to overcome the obstacles that God placed in his life.

What is the focus of your attention? Are you so focused upon the impossible wall that is in front of you that you forget who God is? Have you failed to take the time to ensure that you are properly nourished by the living waters of God’s word that you do not have the strength to overcome the obstacles that God has placed in front of you so that you can be all that HE desires you to be?

If your attention is upon the wall, it is in the wrong place. Add temperance to your life so that you can once again return to the source of your strength and enable yourself to go up and over the wall. By saying no to the things of this world, you will have time to ensure that you are planted by the well that gives you the strength to overcome the trials of this world.

Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Saul and Barnabas had just returned to Antioch from ministering to the saints in Jerusalem. God impressed upon a couple of prophets that they were to separate Saul and Barnabas for the work God had called them to. Saul and Barnabas are now on their first trip and they are at Paphos and one of the local leaders desires to learn more about God. However, Elymas prevents the sharing of the gospel until Saul commands God to blind the sorcerer. The deputy was so astonished that he believed.

This is the first miracle performed by Saul. What is interesting is that it is also the last time that Saul goes by that name. From this point on, Saul is now Paul. The name Saul means “desired” whereas the name Paul means “little”. Paul�s public ministry has officially begun and he has exercised his faith and God immediately change his name so that Paul constantly was reminded that it was not of his own works that he was able to do mighty things for God but that it was God working through him.

Saul saw Elymas was preventing him from doing the work that God had called him to do and as such, by faith, Saul saw God remove all obstacles that were preventing him from fulfilling God’s calling in his life. Saul simply believed what God had called him to do and he was not going to let anything prevent him from doing God’s will. God rewarded Saul’s faith but at the same time gave Saul a reminder that it was not Saul who was desired, but that it was God who was using little Paul to do great things to spread the gospel.

God has put you on this earth for a purpose. God may or may not have revealed to you the full purpose he has for your life. However, when God has revealed HIS purpose for you, you need to obey the calling and fulfill it. Nonetheless, the enemy does not like seeing you please God by fulfilling your purpose. As such, the enemy is going to put obstacles in your path to prevent you from fulfilling your calling. Your faith in God must be demonstrated by your ability to overcome the obstacles that the enemy puts in your path.

Jacob said of Joseph at his death that Joseph was like a fruitful vine that went up and over the wall. Not only did Joseph go up and over the wall, but also he was fruitful in doing it. Obstacles will come into our path that seem impossible. However, the same God who has called you to serve HIM is the same God who can give you the grace to overcome obstacles. Nonetheless, you must remember that it is not of your own accord that has enabled you to do great things for God. It is God who is working through you that has enabled you to overcome the obstacles of the enemy and see HIM do great things through you.

Living by faith requires you to obey the promptings of God. Living by faith requires that you understand that there is a greater power working through you. God created you so that you bring glory to HIM. You must understand that HE is the one who is to receive the glory. If you desire to do great things for God you must become little in your sight so that HE can demonstrate HIS glory to the world through you.

Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Herod had just killed James the brother of John and he was going to kill Peter also. The situation was impossible so the church did the only thing it could do, pray. The night before Peter was supposed to be killed, God sent his angle which enabled Peter to escape through four quaternion of soldiers. After Peter had escaped he went to John’s house but he was required to stay outside for a period of time because the young lady who heard his voice was so glad to hear he was alive that she forgot to let him in and because no one else believed the young lady that Peter was actually alive.

Everyone was so sure that Peter was going to die that they were not prepared for God to answer their prayers. Yes, they knew that there was nothing else that they could do, so they did the only thing they could do, pray. Even Peter thought he was seeing a vision while he was escaping from prison. This is the same Peter who had raised the dead, cast out spirits, and had made the lame to walk. For some reason, Peter was so prepared to die that he had lost sight of God�s ability to preserve his life.

There are going to be times in your life where the situation seems impossible. At these times, things may look bleak and there appears to be no way of escape. Peter’s fellow believers were at such a crossroad. It is a fair inference that the church along with Peter had prayed that God would spare the life of James. However, James was killed and then Peter was taken. The believers had lost hope that Peter would be spared. However, this did not stop them from turning to the One who could hear them and help them.

Although they did not have the faith to pray in confidence that Peter would live, they did pray without ceasing that God would deliver Peter. They were prepared for the bad news that Peter was killed, but they were not going to stop praying until they heard the news.

No matter how impossible the situation seems to be, remember that God can still do the impossible. It does not matter that you do not have enough faith to believe God desires to work a miracle on your behalf; you still have the obligation to turn the problem over to the ONE who can solve your problem. You may be right and God does not desire to answer your prayer. However, there could be the possibility that God might desire to do the impossible in your life so that you will a wonderful testimony. As such, use your limited faith and fall on your knees and present your petition in prayer without ceasing.

God desires that you demonstrate your faith in the impossible situations with fervent prayer that does not stop. However, we should not limit our communication to God to times when we are facing an impossible situation. Paul told us that we were always to be before God praying without ceasing.

How is your prayer life? Have you allowed Satan to talk you out of praying because of the impossibility of your situation? Demonstrate your faith in God by simply trusting HIM and obeying HIM by casting all your cares upon HIM. If you cannot think of what to say, then simply sing the praises of God. However, if God does unexpectedly answer your prayers, do not be like the believers who were slow to accept God’s answer.

Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Rahab was an inhabitant of Jericho. Before the walls of Jericho came down, Joshua sent two spies to Jericho. When the two spies were in Jericho, Rahab hid the spies. Rahab lied and stated to those who were looking for the spies that they had already left. When it was safe, Rahab let the spies down the wall of the city where they were able to safely escape. Because Rahab helped the spies, everyone who was in her house when the walls came down was spared. They were spared because Rahab by faith left the scarlet thread hanging in the window.

Rahab was not an extraordinary individual. She appears to not have been of the seed of Abraham. She did not have a walking relationship with God. However, she heard of the power of God and she knew that she would be destroyed if she did not help those who were sent by HIM to spy on her city. She could have easily turned the spies in and received a huge reward. Nonetheless, she by faith helped the spies and she lived.

Rahab may have been a harlot, yet she still was able to demonstrate faith. It is important to realize that we all have sin and fallen short of the glory of God. God still loves us and it is never to late to repent of our sinful past and start a new life serving HIM. Rahab demonstrates here that anyone can demonstrate faith regardless of spiritual background.

Remember that Jesus only told two individuals that they had great faith. Neither one of them was a Jew. One of the reasons why Rahab was listed in this passage as one who demonstrated faith was so that you and I today understand that you do not have to be of the seed of Abraham in order to demonstrate faith. Faith can be demonstrated by anyone who realizes that God is the only God and that not only did HE create us but HE is all-powerful and is the only One who can save us. We demonstrate our faith by trusting in HIM and seeking to serve HIM and fulfill HIS will for our life.

We do not have to be born into a Christian family in order to demonstrate faith. Faith can be demonstrated by anyone who first puts his or her trust in the Lord and desires to serve HIM. Rahab may have committed great iniquities yet her faith saved her and allowed her save not only her own life but also the life of her family.

Rahab desired to serve the God who had demonstrated HIS power over nature. Rahab no longer desired to serve gods created by man’s hands. By demonstrating her faith to be willing to serve the God of Israel, she made a huge adjustment in her life but one that was rewarded. Rahab put the Lord first and she began doing what HE desired of her.

Each and every day we have choices to make. We can choose to serve ourselves or we can choose to serve God. By faith we daily must choose to do that which is right in the eyes of God. Daily we choose to serve HIM so that HE is glorified through our life. Living by faith is not a one-time action. It is a daily choice that we must make to put the Lord first. In order to live by faith, we must repent of our old sin nature and take up the yoke of Jesus Christ. In order to live by faith, we must choose to follow HIM. It takes faith to flee from our past iniquities and serve the God that we cannot see.

Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

God told Joshua that the nation of Israel was to march around Jericho once every day for six days. Then on the seventh day, they were to march around it seven times. After they had finished marching, the priest blew the trumpets and the people shouted and the walls fell flat. The nation of Israel had their first victory in the land of Canaan. They had their first victory because they listened to God and followed HIS instructions.

There is more to this lesson of faith then simple obedience to the voice of God. As you look at the whole story, one learns that the people did not say a word while marching around the city. Scripture tells us to be still and know that I am the Lord. For six days the nation could not speak, all they could do while they were marching was think.

So often when we want the Lord to do something in our lives, we want HIM to do it now. Instead, what the Lord wants us to do is to be quite and meditate upon HIM and draw closer to HIM. As we develop a closer walk with the Lord, then there will be a time where HE lets us know it is time to move forward. It does you no good to move forward when it is not time. Remember when God told the people they were going to have to stay in the wilderness for 40 years because of their unbelief. Some of the people tried to enter the promise land at that time and they were beaten back soundly.

Imagine telling a young child that you are going to take them on a special trip. Now imagine that every five minutes the child asks you when are we leaving. The child does not understand that you took time off of work for this trip and that this trip cannot happen until your vacation week. Now imagine the time finally comes for the trip and every five minutes you hear from the back seat, “Are we there yet?” The child’s continued pestering does not result in reaching your destination any sooner. All it does is cause you to determine that you are not going to tell the child something so far in advance. The child is so obsessed with the trip that the child does not pay attention to his or her responsibilities.

By faith the walls came down. By faith the children of Israel were silent, waiting for the Lord’s command to shout and see the victory. While there may be a time to pester the Lord with your petition, it is important to remember that the Lord already knows your petition before you ever asked it. The Lord knows the answer, and it is in HIS timing that HE is going to bring it to pass. All the prayer in the world will not cause the thing that HE desires to give you to come to pass any sooner. Instead of being like the child who cannot wait, we need to be like the children of Israel who by faith were willing to be silent and wait for the Lord’s timing.

For seven days the nation of Israel waited to see when the Lord was going to allow them to fight. For seven days all they did was march and be silent. By faith they obeyed the Lord and prepared their hearts so that when the time came to see victory, they were ready to acknowledge that it was the Lord who fought their battles for them. God was glorified in this battle. So too does the Lord desire to be glorified in your life. Are you willing to be silent and wait for the Lord’s timing to bring HIS promises to past. It takes faith to be silent and wait on the Lord’s timing.