THE PATHWAY OF PROMOTION : UNDERSTANDING TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
****************************************************************
OUTLINE
1. ABRAHAM
2. JOSEPH
3. MOSES
4. DAVID
5. JOB
6. DANIEL
7. JESUS
INTRODUCTION
The Lord wants to lead His children in the pathway of promotion. He has a purpose and destiny for our lives and He wants us to enter into it. Often we may go through the path of trials and tribulations in order to be shaped and refined and prepared to enter into the destiny that God has prepared for us. God leads us through a process of shaking and discipline which can be painful at that time . But later it will prove to be an invaluable and strong foundation for our lives.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
********************
DEUTERONOMY 32:11-12
" like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions.
The LORD alone led him; no foreign god was with him. "
HEBREWS 12:5-11
" And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. "
HEBREWS 5:8
" Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered "
ISAIAH 48:10
" See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. "
THE MESSAGE
THE PATHWAY OF PROMOTION : UNDERSTANDING TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
****************************************************************
1. ABRAHAM
Abraham was tested before he was promoted. The Lord asked him to sacrifice what he cherished most in his life ,his son Isaac who was born in his old age. When Abraham proved his willingness to obey the Lord , he received great and glorious promises from the Lord. The Lord will often test us in the area that is most precious to our hearts to prove whether we love the Lord more than anything else in our lives. When we pass the test victoriously , great blessings will be waiting for us.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
********************
GENESIS 22 : 1-2 ,15-18
" Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.
Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
GENESIS 22 : 15-18
" The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time
and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,
and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
2. JOSEPH
Joseph was tested before he was promoted. The Lord had a great plan and destiny for Joseph . He was to be used to save a whole nation. But before he could rise to this position , Joseph had to go through a path of trials and tribulations. He was humbled and matured through this painful process and he was prepared for the great task that he was called to fulfill. This should be an encouragement to us when we go through trials and tribulations as we realise that it is truly a pathway to promotion.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
********************
GENESIS 50:20
" You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. "
GENESIS 45:4-8
" Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!
And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.
For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping.
But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
"So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. "
3. MOSES
Moses was tested before he was promoted. He had to choose whether he wanted to enjoy the luxuries of life in the palace or whether he wanted to share the affliction of the people of God and devote his life to fulfill the call of God on his life. Moses chose to sacrifice his royal privileges and fulfill the purpose of God for his life to liberate the people of God from their bondage in Egypt. Often we are required to make signifcant sacrifices in order to fulfill the destiny that God has for our lives. We must give up in order to go up. When we pay the price , we can be sure that the destiny that God has for us is far greater than anything we could have gained for ourselves.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
********************
HEBREWS 11:24-26
" By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.
He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. "
PHILIPPIANS 3:7-8
" But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ "
LUKE 14:26-27
" If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. "
4. DAVID
David was tested before he was promoted. David was just a shepherd boy when the Samuel anointed him as the King of Israel. But he had to go through a path of trials and tribulations for many years before he became a ruler over the people of Israel. He had to go through a long period of war with the house of Saul. But finally David was established as the undisputed King of Israel according to the plan and purpose of God and he went on to become the greatest King in the history of Israel. Often when the Lord has a great destiny for our lives , we may go through intense battles and struggles before we enter into that destiny .
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
********************
I SAMUEL 16:13
" So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. "
2 SAMUEL 3:1
" The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. "
2 SAMUEL 5:1-5
" All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood.
In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, ’You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’ "
When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.
David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years."
5. JOB
Job was tested before he was promoted. Job faced a sudden loss of all his wealth and his children. He could not understand why such a tragedy took place in his life as he had always lived a righteous life before God. But Job was careful not to blame God or become bitter against Him. Inspite of all the false accusations that he faced from his friends , Job continued to trust in God. And the Lord turned the captivity of Job and granted him a double blessing for everything that he had lost. When we hold on to God during our journey through path the trials and tribulations , the Lord will bring us out into a place of abundant blessings.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
********************
JOB 5:10-11
" Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. "
JOB 1:6-22
" One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.
The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied.
"Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.
But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house,
a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,
and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house,
when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship
and said: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing."
JOB 42:10-17
" After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.
All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.
The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys.
And he also had seven sons and three daughters.
The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch.
Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation.
And so he died, old and full of years."
6. DANIEL
Daniel was tested before he was promoted . He was thrown into the lion’s den for his faith in God. But God protected him and delivered him miraclously . The King was so amazed at this that he promoted Daniel after this experience. Daniel was elevated to a higher level after this test of faith. The friends of Daniel namely Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego also experienced a similar elevation in their lives after they went through the fiery furnace experience. Thus whenever we go through fiery trials , we can expect a promotion and an elevation in our lives.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
********************
DANIEL 6:19-28
" At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den.
When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?"
Daniel answered, "O king, live forever!
My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king."
The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly!
"I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.
He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."
So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. "
DANIEL 3:24-30
" Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."
He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,
and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. "
7. JESUS
The Lord Jesus was tested before he was promoted. He sacrificed His heavenly glory and took a human form and gave his life on the cross. As a result God exalted him above every other name in heaven or earth. When we follow the example of Jesus , we would humble ourselves and adopt a servant attitude . When we surrender our lives to God and become obedient to Him in every area of our lives , we will experience his blessings in our life. We will fulfill the destiny that God has prepared for us. The Lord will exalt us and lead us in the pathway of promotion in our lives.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
********************
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
" Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
***************************************************************************
