Testing Before Promotion
Are you going through some difficult situations and wondering why you are experiencing this? In school there are always tests to pass in order to move up to the next level. It's the same way with our Christian walk, there's always testing that comes before a promotion.
Think about some of the men in the Bible and what they went through before stepping into the next level of blessing and influence. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego's loyalty to God and faith was tested in the fiery furnace just before they were promoted in Babylon. They stood up against the king's commands and even as they were thrown into the fire they fully believed in the sovereignty of God and trusted in Him completely! The results? God's presence entered the fire with them and they came out of the greatest trial of their lives not even smelling like smoke! They then moved into a season of influence and power.
Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife, an important and beautiful woman who threw herself at him in an attempt to seduce him. He resisted the temptation and remained true to his master and to his God. Though things seemed to go from bad to worse, he remained faithful and was eventually incredibly promoted.
Daniel was faced with horrendous news that would make most cower in fear, yet he went to God for wisdom and had faith that He would give him the answers he needed. He, too, was promoted as he chose faith in God over the terror of the enemy.
Even Jesus went through testing in the widerness before His ministry was powerfully launched. Had He yielded to the temptations of the devil, His blood would have been tainted with no power to save. His victory over sin and His faithfulness to the cross afforded Him a place at the right hand of the Father and ultimately in our hearts.
There are too many Biblical examples to write about in this devotion but know that as you experience trials and testing in your own life, trust God and realize that this wall of opposition before you is merely a steppingstone to your promotion and ultimately your destiny! The great thing is, while you are going through this season, He is in the fire with you and if you remain faithful, you will come out with greater influence, a powerful testimony, increased faith, and you won’t even smell of smoke!!
James 1:2-4 (NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
1 Peter 1:7 (NLT) These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Daniel 2:12-19 (NIV) This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 2:48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.
Daniel 3:16-17 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
