Testing Before Promotion
Psalm 105:17-21 (NLT) Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door. Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions.
Wow! My God never ceases to amaze me! He gives Joseph a dream, and a promise, and the enemy does all he can to divert the plans of God, never knowing that this diversion is the exact course necessary to fulfill the promise!
Joseph new that he was to be the leader of the household of Israel, so out of anger and jealousy, his brothers sell him into slavery. Though this was a very dark and difficult time in Joseph's life, there would have been no other road to his destiny, but this one. A road I am sure he expected to be paved with acceptance and favor, was paved with pain, isolation, and rejection. It was that very road that led him into a greater blessing and sphere of influence than he could ever have imagined or gotten to on his own. As long as he passed the tests, kept his faith and continued to love, honor and worship God in the face of the greatest adversity, no power from hell could have kept him from his destiny! What seemed like a setback was actually the set up for an incredible outcome!
OUR GOD IS NOT WEAK! You may think the enemy has won the war and stolen God's plan for your life. At the very least you may feel that He's put you on a detour, BUT KNOW THIS, as long as your eyes stay focused on Jesus and you continue to trust Him in the midst of the storm, you will come THROUGH with VICTORY! You'll find that you WILL be at exactly the right place at the right time! He is more than able to keep His promises. He has the desire and ability to lead and deliver you safely to your Promised Land.
Praise and Worship Him right where you are today, even amid pain and disappointment, keeping your eyes focused on Jesus. Your destiny and victory are just around the corner, but for now, no matter how it looks or feels, you are EXACTLY where you are supposed to be...just hang on and enjoy the ride!
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 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.
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 (NKJV) And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
