PROMOTION

“For EXALTATION 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” – Psalms 75:6-7

Enduring PROMOTION, Elevation and Exaltation come from the Almighty God. In this world, there is so much ungodly behaviour, unhealthy communication, and cut-throat competition because of the selfish desire by many to be recognized and rewarded. So many people are looking for carnal applause and human promotion. They want to bask in the approval of others. They easily forget that God is the authentic Promoter of Destinies. Haman was like that. He wanted the accolades of other human beings, but was humiliated when Mordecai received honour and not himself (Est.6:4-14). When someone else is promoted, when your chief motivation is to become popular, or when you work close by a leader, there is a natural human tendency to say to oneself, “What about me? What do I get?” God does not want you to seek promotion for selfish motives, but for His purpose. This is aptly illustrated in Mark 10: 35-48.

Two brothers, James and John, disciples of Jesus, made a devious demand for promotion from Jesus, without considering the responsibilities and sacrifices involved. They had stayed so long with Jesus, seen him perform healings and miracles,  and probably knew much about Him as a man – hungry, tired, laughing, and relaxing. They became too familiar with Jesus to the point that they perhaps forgot the anointing and call upon His life. What an error! Similar situation still happens to us! How often have you thought you deserve to be the head of a department? Or you love to be addressed in a certain manner so that people know how highly regarded you ought to be? Or that you should have privileged access to restricted resources because you know how the resources came about? The motives for self-promotion are diverse, but one thing is certain, “For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends” (2Cor.10:18). That is, it is not he who promotes himself that is approved, but whom the Lord promotes.

The two disciples displayed greed for positional reward even while Jesus had just informed them that He would be crucified (vv.33-35). They exhibited ambition and self-promotion, dictating to Jesus what they wanted – literally, to be equal to Him (v.37). They engaged in carnal calculations for exaltation: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1Pet.5:5b-6). Pride and selfishness debar divine promotion: “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor” (Pro.29:23). Lack of Integrity also delays promotion: “he who walks with integrity walks securely” (Pro.10:9a). So does selfish gain: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Phil.2:3). “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Lk.14:11).

Divine promotion is not about people promoting people. Those who are lifted up by men are so easily brought down by men. The real foundation for promotion is humility: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up” (Jam.4:10). Joseph was promoted on the platform of Vision and Favor, from slavery through prison, to the Palace. Esther submitted to Mordecai’s counsel and became the Queen in a foreign land. Mordecai was remembered for his good deeds and promoted in place of Haman. David was busy in the fields when he was called to be anointed as King (Psa.89:20). Beloved, never covet what God has not provided by grace.

This is my Season of Promotion! As God promotes me, no one can demote me or reverse His blessings in my life. For Joseph, false accusation was only few stages before supernatural promotion. Satan always attacks those next in line for promotion, but God will use even the plots of the enemy to serve the purpose of my promotion. On the platform of Grace and Humility, I am set for my Promotion, Elevation, and Exaltation, in Jesus name.