However, situations can arise where in spite of the fact that you have done all things according to the Word of God, you are still experiencing afflictions. In this case just know that God is taking you through different stages so as to refine you and bring you to a state of perfection. The time for your promotion has come.
The Bible says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17).
Examples of people who though they did everything according to God’s Word yet they went through terrible times abound in the Scriptures. Such people include:
1. Job. In spite of all the afflictions, Job prevailed. So, God allows the devil to shake you up, so that if you pass the exam, He will promote you to the next higher level.
So, whenever affliction shows up in your life, just understand that it is time for you to be promoted. The Bible records the response of Job to the terrible tragedies that he faced in life.
And Job said, “Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
Even though Job did not understand what God was doing in his life, He understood the sovereignty of God and he said, “…He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).
Why did Job say that? Job said that because he knew that God is faithful no matter what.
2. Joseph. Joseph was thrown into a dry cistern by his brothers. Later his brothers sold him as a slave to the Midianite traders.
In Egypt, the Midianite traders sold him to Potiphar. Due to the false accusations against him by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph was thrown into prison for 2 years.
Finally, he was summoned by Pharaoh to interpret his dreams, and when Joseph gave the correct interpretation, he was released from prison and promoted to serve as the number 2 man in the whole of Egypt.
When Joseph eventually met with his brothers, they were terrified thinking that Joseph will now revenge, but look at what Joseph said to them, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Gen. 50:20).
No matter what was happening to Joseph, God was working behind the scene on his behalf for his own good.
3. Daniel. Daniel was thrown into the den of very hungry lions but they could not do anything to Him because the Lion of the tribe of Judah was standing right there by him (Dan. 6).
Remember that it is not that these lions did not want to have a good meal. When the enemies of Daniel were thrown into the same den of lions, the difference was clear: they caught and devoured these enemies at mid-air (Dan. 6:).
4. What of Shedrach, Meshach, and Abednego? They were thrown into a fiery furnace that was made 7 times hotter but the fire did not do anything to them because it saw the Consuming Fire in them (Dan 3). After this trial, they were all promoted.
I hereby decree that whatsoever God did for Job, Joseph and Daniel He will do for you.
In the midst of all the difficulties that the Jews were going through, God said, “For I know the thoughts (plans) that I think toward you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an EXPECTED end” (Jer. 29:11).
When all the tough things are going on in your life, you may not understand it but you can know with certainty that God is at work, making all things to work together for your good.
Conclusion: You may not know what is going on but God is doing something behind the scene. You may not understand what is happening to you, but it is part of His plan for your life. At the end of it all, you will discover that all things have worked together for your own good.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that (1) love God, to them who are (2) the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!
- Your friend, I. I. Madubunyi 05.01.2023 @ the HQs
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