MEMORISE:
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
Psalm 75:6
READ: Psalm 75:5-7
5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
MESSAGE
The title of our reflection today is "Divine Promotion", because experience has shown that there are evil ways of getting promoted. However, promotion gotten through diabolical means does not last, and neither does it do any good to its beneficiary. The history of mankind confirms that getting promoted diabolically always has its adverse effects, so much so that its beneficiary will regret it in the end. A classical example of someone who wickedly promoted himself to be king was Macbeth in one of the Shakespearean plays. Although he got to the throne, he never enjoyed it. Also, the story of Absalom who deviously stole the hearts of his father's subjects to become king confirms that only those who are divinely promoted are actually promoted (2 Samuel 15-18). His diabolical climb to the top tragically led to his untimely death. His body was tossed into a pit, and a very great heap of stones was placed upon him. Your story will not end in tragedy in Jesus' Name.
A good example of a person divinely promoted is King Solomon. There was no manipulation of any kind by him to be king. His anxiety towards the throne and its responsibilities confirm that he did not see himself as qualified. It was God who qualified him. When God calls you, He knows that you are not qualified; it is His mercy that qualifies you and begins the work of reconstructing your life to meet His standard. Revealing Solomon's mindset, 2 Chronicles 1:7-10 says:
“In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great”?
Here we see gratitude in the one that is divinely promoted. Solomon saw his elevation to the throne as an act of God. He celebrated the faithfulness of God to his father, because by his ascension to the throne, a royal dynasty was established for the first time in the history of Israel. We also see humility in Solomon - he asked for wisdom because he knew he lacked the wisdom and understanding needed to manage his divine promotion. Those who diabolically scheme their way to a position of authority never perform well, and their end is always disastrous. Beloved, what is that promotion you desire? Wait for divine intervention and don't manipulate anything. God will promote you in such a way that will bring glory to His Name.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, I wait earnestly for the promotion that is facilitated by You alone; please promote me.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 24-26, John 2
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 4: TRUST AND OBEY
1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favour He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey.
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