God Often Promotes His Children When They Pass Tests

By James Quansah, Pastor

SO MANY Christians wants to see promotions in their lives but few are determined to pay the price for them. Many do not know that some of the problems or challenges that come into their lives are allowed by God to tests their faith which when endured with patience eventually lead to promotion.

We must know that promotions come very often after tests or trials are passed. Ask Joseph, Job, Paul and others and will tell you about their experiences.

The life of Joseph which was characterized by a series of problems is a best example for our study and consideration. One can read about him from Genesis Chapter 37 to Chapter 50 for the purpose of this study.

Joseph’s challenges began in his own house after sharing his prophetic dreams with his brothers, leading to hatred against him.

First, his brothers stripped him of his robe and threw him into a pit. Thereafter, they sold him to traders who took him to Egypt. Joseph was later resold to another person, Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. While in Potiphar’s house, his master’s wife falsely accused Joseph of adultery, leading to his imprisonment.

Joseph was a child of God who refused to sin against God yet he faced many problems in his life. God had a plan for those situations. They were designed and permitted to lead him to a prime ministerial appointment in Egypt that was necessary to provide food to his family during a terrible famine.

God is wisest; He orders the steps of the righteous, those who trust in Him to greatness, abundance, victory and glorification through strange circumstances.

However, the paths He allows His worshippers to walk are very often rough and difficult. Series of negative situations afflict them; these are allowed to serve as springboard or catalysts for greatness.

It appears Joseph knew these secrets so he never cursed God or his brothers. He was neither bitter nor held any grudge against anyone. He knew what God was doing in his life. He also saw beyond the situation he found himself in.

Thus, eventually he told his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20).

Job’s life which is recorded in the book of Job also teaches us similar thing. We know the series of problems he had to face which included loss of his children, servants, business and property.

They were actually a trial which he had to endure. In all of this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong (Job 1:20). And after passing the test God restored the fortunes of Job and gave him twice as much as he had before. That is promotion.

These should teach believers that problems which God allows in our lives are most often meant for our good just as it is written “All things work together for our good.” (Romans 8:28)

James Quansah is the Executive Director of Christ-Conscious Leadership Centre (CLC) and lead Pastor of End-Time Christ’s Commissioners (ECC), Kumasi, Ghana. James is also a journalist by profession. He is married with four children.