The Bigger The Devil, The Higher Your Level
By: John Tyler
Do you find yourself in a difficult situation today? Do you have to trust God because that's the only option you have left?
You're right where your Father does his best work.
If you are a believer, the word says your steps are ordered of the Lord (Prov. 16:9). Every life experience, every situation you find yourself in, and every valley you walk through has a divine purpose. You are stepping closer and closer to your destiny in Christ.
Your good God doesn't bring hurtful situations into your life...that's what the enemy does. However, God loves you too much to allow you to suffer through a tough time without it benefiting you in the long run.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28). Don't the difficult times seem easier to face when you know God is using that period to stretch you, purify you, and develop your faith?
Doesn't each victory seem sweeter knowing that he is teaching you to win with greater grace, so he can bring you to the next level of victory and the deeper walk with him that awaits you there?
I heard a great man of God once discussing difficult situations. He said the place of victory God prepares for each us is in direct proportion to the valley we have to walk through getting there. He described it aptly by saying, "The bigger the devil, the higher your level."
In other words, the more painful, disappointing, adverse or challenging you find your circumstances today, the greater your victory when you emerge on the other side.
The greater the battle, the greater the anointing.
The bigger the opposition, the more wonderful the promise.
Consider Joseph. This is a man God had chosen and given great dreams of his incredible future. However, those dreams of a victorious future preceded a whirlwind of disappointments and challenges that would have caused most of us to seriously doubt God's hand in our life.
His brothers sold him into slavery because of their jealousy. He was sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit.
In actuality, God was using those situations to prepare Joseph's character and faith for the immense blessing of leadership that awaited him.
David is another man of God who saw his fair share of difficulties, many of which were caused by his poor choices. However, he never let the praises of God leave his mouth. He knew each challenge just brought him closer to his Father. He knew the Lord would bring him out with the victory, every single time.
David wrote: "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress..." (Psalm 4:1).
God used those difficult times to enlarge David's faith, build his character, and force him to rely in a greater way on his God. Let's face it, if we only found ourselves in situations we could handle or explain, we'd never have to trust him. Our faith would never develop.
I'm sure when these great men of God were in their personal pit, suffering and desperately calling out to God for help, they wondered what was happening to them. We have the benefit of knowing the end of each of these stories.
While God didn't cause the negative situations in their lives, he used those circumstances to carefully construct the powerful men of faith the Lord needed for their divine destinies to come to pass.
No matter what challenge you face today, God has already written the final page of your story. Your story doesn't end with the dark pit your may find yourself in now. Your story ends in victory, with God doing exceedingly and abundantly more than you can ask or imagine in your life (Eph. 3:20).
Your God only raises up winners, and you are one of his kids. His favor surrounds you like a shield (Psalm 5:12), and he rewards those who diligently seek after him (Heb. 11:6).
Rejoice, no matter where you find yourself today. Your victory was purchased 2000 years ago on a hill called Calvary. Praise him in advance for the victory he has already promised you in his word.
Today, he is calling you to run to the only safe place that truly exists...right into the arms of your Heavenly Daddy. Remember, the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe (Prov. 18:10).
Being safe in his arms, use this period to feed on his word, build up your prayer life and trust him even when you feel your life is in disarray.
He is bringing you out with a greater love, a greater confidence, and a greater resolve to see his destiny fulfilled in you than ever before.
Maintain your praise. Thank him continually for his goodness in your life. Don't focus on the battle and its challenges, focus of your loving God and his supernatural ability.
He will do what he must to get you where he needs you. But once you are there, look out! His goodness is right around the corner and his blessings are chasing you down.
John Tyler is a Houston-based writer and public relations professional who publishes an online column on Christian living. Be Transformed! Vist http://www.JohnTylerMinistries.com
This article was brought to you by PrayWay Global Prayer Community.
This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of PrayWay. It is provided for informational purposes only. As always, weigh everything with the Word of God, which is the only inerrant source of information.
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