[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Before God will use you (1)

Read: Psalm 105: 17-24

Meditation verse:

“They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the  time came to fulfil his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character” (Psalm  105:18-19, NLT).

Before God uses you, He will take you through a period of preparation. The  greater the assignment, the longer and more strenuous the preparation will be. Biblical characters like David, Joseph, Paul and even our Lord Jesus Christ did not  start their ministries immediately. They all went through periods of preparation.  Joseph moved from his dream to the pit, from the pit to Potiphar’s house, from  Potiphar’s house to prison, before he was exalted to the palace. Every step of  the way, in character and competence, he was being prepared for his dream.  Saul had a 3- year gap before he began his ministry as Paul, the Apostle. Between  ages 12 and 30, Jesus immersed himself in scripture, worked with his father,  Joseph on his trade and looked after his mother, before He began His ministry  at age 30. There are three main areas of preparation: Preparation of Character,  Preparation of Competence and Preparation of Circumstances. We will be  looking at each in the next couple of days. 

Preparation of Character: Certain character flaws need to be dealt with before  God will use you. Character is often shaped by trials and suffering. In every trial  you face in life, God is teaching you something. James 1:2-4 says “my brethren,  count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your  faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be  perfect and complete, lacking nothing”. If God is going to prepare your  character, He may allow you to pass through some not so pleasant experiences  and you must cooperate with Him.  

Character is also prepared as you mature in your relationship to God. “When I  was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but  when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor 13:11). Character is  shaped in the place of solitude and stillness. “In returning and rest, you shall be  saved, in quietness and confidence, shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

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