He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Ephesians 4:10 (ESV)
Bottom line: Oftentimes, pain gives added value to your life.
Teaching
On many occasions, the Bible shows us the path to glory of men who walked with the Lord. Starting with David, the Bible shows us how he suffered and went through diverse challenges before he was finally crowned king of Israel.
He was despised in his own house. All his brothers were enrolled in the military, which was prestigious at the time, but he alone was left to take care of the sheep. When Samuel the prophet was sent to anoint one of the sons of Jesse (David’s father) as king of Israel, Samuel asked Jesse to present all his sons. Jesse called everyone but forgot David, the shepherd boy.
10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”
11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.”
1 Samuel 16:10-11
But, while David kept his father’s sheep, God trained him as a fighter, and on two occasions he killed a lion and a bear which went after his father’s sheep. This gave him the confidence to kill Goliath and he became famous.
36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”
1 Samuel 17:36
Joseph is another case study. He was despised by his brothers and sold as a slave to Egypt. Yet, he remained faithful to God and his experience as a faithful servant of Potiphar the governor, paved the way to his ascension as the Prime minister of Egypt.
27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.
28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.
Genesis 37:27-28
19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled.
20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.
Genesis 39:19-20
Joseph moved as a slave to prison, and from prison to a Prime minister.
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.
40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.”
Genesis 41:39-40
Jesus is our last example. Our opening text says.
He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Ephesians 4:10 (ESV)
Jesus has ascended to heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God the Father. He has power over everything that exists. He has been exalted by God. But before he was exalted by the father, he first went through hell. He paid the heavy price of death by crucifixion. He was rejected by men, spat on, mocked, and humiliated. He knew pain. But after the pain, he was glorified.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11
The path to glory is not always a bed of roses. There is pain and suffering involved. But cheer up. This pain is for your gain. Fix your attention on the finish line and do not get discouraged by what you are going through for the moment, because it came to pass, not to stay.
Further Study
- Hebrews 12:2 [looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.]
Reflection
- Have you ever felt discouraged to pursue a dream that you know you have been called unto?
- Have you given up on your dreams and aspirations because of the present challenging times?
- Remember, Joseph had a dream, and he did not give up on his dream despite all that he was facing.
- Get back on your feet and continue your journey because you will surely emerge victorious!
Prayer
Thank you, Father, because you have given me the power to sail through all stormy days. You have made me resistant to all forms of pressure. I declare today that I’m victorious in all circumstances and I’m more than a conqueror in Jesus’ name. Amen.
