Prerequisites for Divine Promotion (Part 1)

Friends, greetings in Jesus Name! Today, we shall be looking at what I title, “Prerequisites for Divine Promotion”. The term “Divine Promotion” simply means, supernatural lifting or elevation orchestrated by God. Really, in life it is a natural occurrence for people to desire promotion, get elevated at work, be lifted to a higher level or dimension in all their endeavors. No one desires to be a failure and remain in one spot for life without promotion. Individuals understand that it is a curse, not a blessing, when year-in-year-out they are stationary without any visible progress or upward movement. For this reason, many go to any length to get promoted. As a result, some people have soiled their hands in all kinds of dubious and devilish activities to get to the top. Unfortunately, whatever you receive from devilish means, and not from God, will always diminish. Usually, it fades quickly, does not last, and more often than not, it does more harm than good to its beneficiaries. According to Psalm 75:6-7, “For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” Indeed, true promotion can only come from above – The Lord Most High – The Great I Am That I Am. Apostle James puts it succinctly this way, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:16-17). Hallelujah!The book of Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Today, many are on the path of death because they are pursuing promotion, success, fame, popularity, recognition, and honour by men which ultimately destroys them. There is a prerequisite to divine promotion. Yes, a pattern to follow in order to attract God’s elevation in your life. Violating this divine order or principle can only keep you in one place perpetually, and make you wondering why others who began with you had left you behind, and those who came behind you had gone past you in life. Now, one of such prerequisites you need for divine promotion is: Seeking first the kingdom of God. While admonishing his disciples, Jesus said to them: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:31-33). What is the “Kingdom of God and his righteousness” in this context? It is pursuing God’s interest on earth, by putting him first, and making him your topmost priority. Hebrew 1:9 says, “You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness above your fellows.” The moment you prioritize God in your life by putting him, shunning evil and loving righteousness, then promotion becomes inevitable in your life. Listen, you cannot honour God and get dishonour in return. No! “For those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed”, says the Lord (1 Samuel 2:30). Daniel understood this principle so well, and he was highly exalted and promoted in Babylon. The moment Daniel regarded God by opting to eat only vegetables, rather than eat the food sacrificed to an idol, the Lord began to honour him, along with his three friends – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 1:16-21). “Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:48). The same honour and promotion were bestowed upon Joseph in Egypt. Despite no guardian or parental counsel around him, the young Joseph in Egypt kept God in his heart, and made God his topmost priority. We saw an incident when Potiphar’s wife tried her utmost best to lure the handsome gentleman into sexual sin, but Joseph stood his ground saying: “There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God” (Genesis 39:9). While on earth, Jesus was highly favored, famous and renowned for the work of the kingdom, yet full of the Spirit, and submitted to God’s authority (Matt. 4:1-11; Mark 1:25-28; John 9:4). If I may ask: Does God really matter to you? Do you prioritize God in your life? If presented between good or bad, would you rather intentionally make a bad choice, as against good? Remember, “But it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another” (Psalm 75:7). May you be lifted in Jesus Mighty Name. Never forget, your starting point of promotion in life begins when you make God your number priority above all else. We shall continue from here by next week. Till then, have the most fabulous and fantastic week. With love, Elvis!