The Lord gave me this awesome word for many of you who have been asking, "Why does it seem like the most dedicated Believers go through the most horrific tests and trials?" I asked the Lord that same question, and He led me into a deep study of men and women in the Bible who were called to high positions in the Kingdom after they endured great seasons of testing. He began to show me the pattern of how He first proves us in the fire before He elevates us for our assignment.
Joseph: The Growth of Identity in the Midst of Adversity
He brought me to the book of Genesis to the story of Joseph. He was favored by his father who gave him a coat of many colors. I believe this was a prophetic mantle the Lord placed on his life. That coat wasn't just colorful; it represented a royal robe that marked him as one who would rule rather than just labor like a servant. That's why his brothers stripped it off him. Symbolically, they were stripping him of his identity and position. The Lord gave him two dreams showing him his destiny, which caused his brothers to hate him all the more.
They threw Joseph in a pit, put goat's blood on his coat, and took it back to their father to make him believe a ferocious animal had killed him. Then they sold him as a slave to the Midianites. In Egypt, Potiphar's wife falsely accused him, taking his robe as proof, and Potiphar put him in prison. This was the second garment taken from Joseph.
The Testing of God's Word and the Fulfillment of Dreams
The Holy Spirit showed me that many of you have been going through one battle after another, and the adversity has been overwhelming. You have been asking Jesus, "What is happening? Is it me? Did I do something wrong, or is it the adversary?"
Some of you have a dream from God, but you are letting people hinder you. Some people tell you that your vision is too big. Some call you a dreamer because they are jealous, just like Joseph's brothers. Be careful who you share your dreams with; not everyone will rejoice with you.
Remember, Joseph stayed faithful through it all, and Pharaoh made him vizier—the highest official in Egypt to serve the king. Pharaoh placed a robe of authority on him. This was Joseph's third garment. He put a gold chain around Joseph's neck and his signet ring on his finger, which meant Joseph had authority over all that was Pharaoh's. He gave him a new name, Zaphnath-Paaneah, which means "Revealer of Mysteries." And speaking of Joseph, Psalm 105:17–19 says, "He sent a man before them—Joseph—who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters; he was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him" (NKJV).
The Restorer of Dreams Will Overshadow Your Past
Do not allow anything to steal the dream that the Lord has placed in your heart. Never allow the circumstances of life to weary you from what the Lord has called you to do. He is the restorer of dreams, and His word will come to pass. Just as Joseph's father gave him a coat of many colors, so your heavenly Father has given you a mantle. (Photo via Max Pixel)
For those of you who have been betrayed, He is the restorer of the breach. That which has been broken in your lives shall be mended. Those relationships that have been severed and disarrayed will be restored. Your families will come into alignment with His plans as they continue to observe your dedication to Jesus. Just as Potiphar's wife falsely accused Joseph, you have been falsely accused and lied about, but God will recompense and rewarded you for your integrity. As you refuse to compromise and continue to walk in holiness, you will discover the greater plan.
There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. To those of you who have been imprisoned with fear and torment, Jesus has the keys to Hell and death. Trust Him to be your Deliverer and set you free. He will release you and bring you into all that He has called you to do. Don't look at things that are happening in the natural, because His plans for you are beyond natural reasoning. Never settle for less than what He has created you to do.
Raised up in the Kingdom from the Pit of Despair
Ask Him for wisdom to make your dream a reality and for the faith to step out of the boat. Continue to pursue His plans without looking back at your past mistakes and failures. He will bring people into your life to help you fulfill the dream that He has placed in your heart. These will be divine connections with others who believe as you do and will help to encourage you.
Sever any relationships from people that will try to destroy your dreams and hinder your growth. Just as Joseph was raised from the pit to this high calling, the Lord will bring you out of your despair and raise you up in His Kingdom. Never let go of your dream but hold on with the same tenacity that Joseph had. The Holy Spirit, the Revealer of Mysteries, will reveal those mysteries to you, and you will walk in the favor and authority of your calling. For you have been proven in the fire so that you may be elevated in the Kingdom.
Daniel: Being Faithful in a "Babylon Season"
Along with the story of Joseph, I wanted to share the story about Daniel, because many of you have not just been in a pit season but in a Babylon season. You have been faithful in a foreign land because, as a Believer, you are in this world but not of it. You have been surrounded by people who don't honor or serve your God.
Daniel came from royalty but was taken captive to Babylon as a young man, just like Joseph was taken captive to Egypt as a young man. He had to be proven in Babylon. Daniel was a man of integrity, in whom there was no blemish. He was good looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand.
When he was brought into King Nebuchadnezzar's palace, he was offered food at the king's table. Yet Daniel did not defile himself. He did not compromise; he refused to break covenant with God. He was then elevated as ruler over the whole province. Later, he was vindicated in the lions' den under King Darius' rule.
"Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm." (Daniel 6:3 NKJV)
Some of you have been in that same test. You have been pressured to compromise in order to be promoted or accepted, but because you passed the private test of consecration, the Lord is going to entrust you with wisdom and revelation. Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you openly.
The Enemy's Plans Will Not Prevail
During King Darius' reign, Daniel continued to pray three times a day with his windows open, even though it had been declared illegal. The satraps were envious of Daniel and tried to find grounds for charges against him, but they couldn't find any, because he was faithful and no fault was found in him. They plotted to take his life just to remove him from his position.
This is amazing, because when I woke up the morning that I wrote this, the Holy Spirit gave me the word "satraps." (Photo via Flickr)
The Lord showed me that many of you have people speaking against you, and they are trying to remove you from your position. They are trying to stop you from what you are called to do. They don't realize they are coming against God's plan, but they are determined to plot against you. There is a fight for promotion, but as you remain humble and steadfast, the Lord will continue to raise you up to where you belong. Every plan of the enemy will be rendered null and void as you remain faithful and loyal to Jesus and His word. The enemy's plans will not prevail in your life.
You Will Be Delivered Supernaturally
Daniel was then thrown into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "Your God whom you serve continually, He will deliver you" (Daniel 6:16 WEB). Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den and sealed with the king's signet ring. King Darius couldn't sleep that night. At dawn he ran to the den and cried out:
"'Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?'
"Then Daniel replied, 'O king, may you live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight.'" (Daniel 6:20–22 BSB)
Daniel was not angry or bitter, because he knew God's promise for his life. Then the men who falsely accused Daniel were thrown into the den, and the lions overpowered them. King Darius issued a decree:
"'In every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever... He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.'
"So Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian." (Daniel 6:26–28 BSB)
God Is Rolling the Stone Away for You!
When I wrote this, the Holy Spirit gave me this revelation: Just as a stone was placed over Jesus' tomb and God sent an angel to roll it away, a stone was placed over the lions' den, and God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. You may be facing a situation that looks impossible in the natural, but the Lord will send an angel to shut the mouths of the lions, and you will come out unharmed.
The same God who rolled away the stone for Daniel is rolling away the stone for you. Those who watched you in the lions' den are going to watch God elevate you. What they meant to silence you with will become your platform. You will come out unharmed because you have been found faithful before Him.
Whatever you do, don't miss another ELIJAH LIST email! Subscribe here.
Elaine Tavolacci
A Word in Season
Email:Â Elaine@awordinseason.info
Website:Â www.awordinseason.info
Elaine Tavolacci resides in Staten Island, New York. She has been a student of the Word for many years. She has a prophetic gift as well as a ministry of encouragement, which teaches the Body of Christ to walk in the fullness of what the Lord has called them to. She teaches others how to be overcomers in every area of their lives and understands the power and authority that Jesus has assigned to them. Her ministry, "A Word in Season," has been an encouragement to others for years. She has learned the transforming power of the Word of God and encourages others that nothing is impossible with God.
To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List here.
Thank you for making the always-free "ElijahStreams" possible. To partner with us, click here.
Your donations truly help us keep these emails free for you.
To find us on Facebook, click here
