As written and presented by Mary Whelchel

PROGRAM D-6060

Would you like to have a promotion at work? How badly do you want it? Well, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego got a promotion, as we see in Daniel 3, but it wasn't easy.

We saw that these three guys defied their boss, King Nebuchadnezzar, when he required them to worship a false god. They were not willing to betray their God in order to please their boss, regardless of the consequences. And they paid a price for taking that stand-they were thrown into the burning furnace to be killed. But, as we know, God miraculously delivered them.

As a result of this incredible testimony, their boss actually admired them and commended their courage, and he recognized that their God was real. Furthermore, he proceeded to give them a promotion in his kingdom. If you thought promotions came hard where you work, think about what they went through for a promotion.

But, of course, they didn't go through the furnace to get a promotion. They did it out of obedience to God, simply that and nothing more. They weren't trying to be heroes or martyrs. They weren't looking to pick a fight or cause a spectacle. This came to them without their choosing, but when the rubber met the road, they stood true.

Notice also that they were as loyal and conscientious about their jobs as they possibly could be. Their performance was excellent and they were anything but troublemakers.

I think we need to recognize that God may call us to take a stand on our jobs against those in higher authority, and when that call comes, we should be prepared to stand. But it should never be a situation that we've antagonized in any way, and we should be certain we've done everything we can as an employee to serve our employer properly. We'll not have a testimony for Christ in these testing situations if we haven't earned our right by demonstrating hard, honest work and a good attitude toward our job and our employer.

With that kind of reputation, should God put us through such a test, we can be assured it will be to bring glory to his name, as was the case with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. And even if we don't get an earthly promot ion for it as they did, our heavenly reward will be waiting when we stay true to God and allow nothing or no one to cause us to compromise.

In Mary’s book "Looking with Forever Eyes" she shows readers how to view their circumstances from God’s perspective. Call the ministry at 1-800-292-1218 or go online to www.christianworkingwoman.org to order.

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