Promotion Comes After The Fire

“Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.”

~ Daniel 3:30 NLT

  

The three Hebrew boys were thrown into the blazing furnace because they refused to bow down before any another god. Despite the accusations spewed against them and the threat of death, they did not fear.

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us.  He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.  But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” (v.16-18) (emphasis added)

We are living in times where our faith will come under severe attack.  Our liberties will be restricted and an order of law will erect in which we will be commanded and expected to follow.  Consequences for not abiding in this new world order can lead to death.

And for this reason; for this very reason, in which we could not perceive then, stems the need to withstand the test of the fiery trials. 

It is through the fire our weakness is made strong. It is through the fire the impurities of our flesh are removed.  It is through the fire we are sanctified.  It is through the fire that we become refined instruments. It is through the fire the anointing is released. It is through the fire that postures us to move and operate in higher positions.

“IT IS THROUGH THE FIRE”, SAYS THE LORD where those that are called by my name will arise as a vast army.  Those who have withstood the testing have become an instrument in My Hands - an instrument to hold my anointing and glory as they go forth before kings and kingdoms.   They shall stand amongst the nations in which I place their feet upon and proclaim My Name with boldness and authority. Another army will then arise against them with threats of death yet they shall fear not for I am with them.  For Power has been given unto them to tread the kingdom of darkness and overturn tables.  Raising the banner of My edicts.  The pharaoh of this world shall be swallowed in the currents of My Glory.   The earth shall tremble and all the inhabitants shall praise The King of Glory in whom they have seen.”

Now can you see why you had to go through the fire? It is required in order to come to a place of
influence.  The three Hebrew boys knew the God that they served.  Therefore their response was one of confidence and trust that God was in control. Even in the midst of death, seeing their future as ashes in the furnace, they did not cry out for this cup of death to be removed.  Instead they proclaimed their loyalty to God.  They became instruments of His Glory before the king, high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the provincial officials that crowded around them.  They had stepped out of the fire.  Neither was their heads singed, nor their clothing scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! (v.27)

“Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him.  They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.  Therefore, I make this decree:  If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, hey will be torn limb to limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble.  There is no other god who can rescue like this!” (v.28-29)

There was a shaking in their spirits when they saw them step out of the fire that caused them to tremble and have a change of heart.  It even went further than just a change but a decree was sent forth into the atmosphere – overturning the laws of man and erecting the laws of God.

For this purpose we too have been refined to become carriers of His glory.  For this reason we have gone through the heat of the fire to stand before higher officials in our cities, states and nations to reverse what they have decreed.  It is for such a time like this that we were brought out of the fire to impact and revolutionize the nations through what God has given into our hands to use to accomplish such!

Where are the Shadrach’s, Meschach’s and Abednego’s? Where are the Esther’s who declare if I perish, I perish? Where are the Deborah’s who will lead a counterattack against the forces?  Where are the ones who will embrace their cross and declare not my will but Yours? Where are the revolutionaries of Christ who will not shrink back, but who dares to raise their voice and set the standards of Christ! 

If that is you, walk through the doors God is opening without fear! He has elevated you to higher positions, eminence and power – take hold of it in the Name of JESUS!

Promotion comes after the fire!!!! Glory be to God!