Platforms

I have permission to share this insightful piece written by a dear brother in Christ. Be blessed saints!

PLATFORMS

If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me (John 12;32). What have you been doing with that elevated position, choice place, thriving clime and sphere of influence?

You have been divinely placed there for a purpose. To beam God's light, shine consistently, ceaselessly and excellently so that men would see and glorify the one who backs you (God, that is).

David leveraged tendering the sheep to evolve as a brave, passionate, compassionate and accountable leader. If he had not learnt about using the platform as a shepherd, he would not have grown to face and defeat Goliath, lead Israel on several war fronts, rule admirably and become the man after God's heart. He espoused doggedness, focus, resilience, reverence for God, trust, servant-leadership, training by housing, training and developing miscreants to become skillful soldiers/valiant men.

Abraham went to war with people under his tutelage - about three hundred men. These men strategized alongside him and he was able to win and recover his nephew Lot with choice possessions. He went on to be the first man ever to pay tithe to Melchizedek, the King of Salem. He was so godly, disciplined and compassionate that he did not take anything that belonged to the King of Sodom (Gen 14:14- 23). Little wonder then that God gave a testimony about him that he will instruct his house to do what is good (Gen 18:19). The same Abraham trained his household to be hospitable, in one of his practical sessions he hosted an heavenly envoy. He knitted the calf while his servants baked and cooked. He bargained for the safety of his nephew with the heavenly council.

Hadassah popularly known as Esther with discipline, stern focus, a desire to save her people from slavery to enter the first family of Persie, she warmed her way into the Almighty Ahasuerus' mind, outsmarted the devilish, crafty and subtle Haman to ensure the safety of the Jews in captivity. Mordecai had used the opportunity of being Esther's uncle to train her in the way of the Lord. He had inspired her and she trusted his leading so much so that even as a Queen, she still cleaved to his tutelage and adhered to his instructions. Both leveraged the platform they had to liberate their people. They could have relaxed under the royal canopy, eat and dine with the King and leave the earth without impact. A colossal waste would have been their case/lot!

Daniel and his three Hebrew friends were among the wisest in Babylon, even in the land of slavery/oppression, they were shining at that point until an opportunity (platform) presented itself for them to either be among the wisest men in town or redefine wisdom and evolve to be in a class of their own. They understood the maxim that there is time for everything so they purposed not to eat the King's portion. Fast forward to the day of evaluation , they were lot better than those who accepted the king's offer to merry, wine and dine. This was a turning point in their lives Daniel would go ahead to interpret Kings' dreams, defy the King's ungoldly order not to worship while his three friends refused to bow to the King's golden image. The former became the second in command in Babylonian Empire which was the largest in the world at that time, the empire was enforced to pray in his God's name while the later sect too had a decree made for all and sundry to pray in their Lord's name. They leveraged on the platform they had to glorify God, gravitate people to God and spread the fragrance of God everywhere they went all the while they lived!

The Shunemite woman in 2 Kings 4 used the opportunity she had to fend for Elisha and his servant Gehazi, she spoke with her husband and they had a place prepared for the men of God to rest their heads whenever they were in town- because of this she had a son in old age despite her faithlessness, 2 Kings 4:17 ( the second time God would grant a request even when an individual doubts, remember Sarah also laughed at the mention of the child of covenant Isaac), the son in question was resurrected by Elisha, the woman and her family were forewarned by the same prophet to move to Philistine during a seven year famine 2Kiings 8:1-7, on returning Elisha talked to the King and all that was hers that were taken while away were restored to her. She used her platform of hospitality to tap into the prowess of divinity. 2 Kings 8: 18, 30-37.

Elisha used the platform of service to get double the portion of anointing of Elijah, he served Elijah so well that he understood the principles and dynamism of God. He discerned his master was going to be taken, he walked the journey of destiny from Gilgal to Bethel to Jordan to Jericho, he was desperate to be better, when his master saw his doggedness when they crossed Jordan (he wondered what manner of persistence Elisha had) his master asked him what he wanted and he was straight to the point- double of your power, it was not Elijah's prerogative but Elisha was not deterred, when God's appearance came to grant Elijah's disappearance, Elisha was able to get Elijah's garment, the peak of Elijah's miracle (parting Jordan) was the starting point of Elisha. Kings called him 'Father' Ahab, and Belhadad, and Jehoshaphat accorded him respect. A man that sat in the comfort of his room and saw what the King of Syria strategized, a man who removed the reproach of other prophets (the floating axe, the poisoned food and the indebted wisdom). Elisha's fame went abroad, in Syria, the grand commander of their army was a great man but leprous! Naman also leveraged on good relationship with his domestic staff to access the miraculous, a maid to his wife spoke to him about Elisha's prowess, when he could also allowed human tendencies of dictating for God and share ego to deter him, his propensity of listening to others saved him and realigned him to his path of total deliverance, he washed in the stipulated river and was made whole, same would go on in 2 Kings 5:15 to say truly there is a God in Israel. If Elisha had not leveraged on different platforms, encounters, opportunities to hoist the banner of the Most High what would have happened?

  

Rehab used the platform she had to keep the spies away from the reach of the people of Canaanites, she used this to tie herself to God's people's lots, she and her entire household were saved from destruction and a 'prostitute' became 'an heroine of faith' worthy of mention in Hebrews 11.

Caleb used his courage and faith to tell a different story from others that spied the promise land, he inspired and motivated the people of God, who knows if not for his timely speech and intervention, maybe a revolt would have happened. The people remained on cause and claimed the promise land. He was divinely blessed with strength and longevity for being different as he stood out for God when opportunity presented itself.

Moses interceded for his people even when God had promised to raise him obedient people who would follow divine precepts without murmuring, he took God by his word and made God have a rethink. He led admirably, honorably, with empathy and Justice. He would go on to become the man God spoke to like a friend and one who God showed the way he does things (Psalms 103:7)

Job defended the poor, uplifted the widows and was benevolent to fault. God gave a testimony about him in the heavenly council as 'my servant' the accuser said he served God because he had it all rosy, he tried him and God’s friend did not curse God. His later end was greater than his beginning because he used the platform of his wealth to afford people health and comfort!

  Joseph the dreamer used his position in the palace to save Israel from extinction as he duly forgave the misdeed of his brethren, they grew to become a great nation that would later migrate from Goshen to the promise land and his bones were carried along. Same used his godliness, knowledge of God and discipline to teach Pharaoh's senators wisdom, had he compromised with Potiphar's wife, the word of God that tried him and certified him okay for divine use would not have approved him (remember the Lord knows those who are is- 2 Tim 2:19)

Should we talk about how Nehemiah toiled all day and night to build a temple for God? Should we talk about how Jonathan preserved the life of his friend David even at the expense of ascending the throne as his Father had wanted ? How Milcah hid David and set same on his way so his Dad- Saul the murderer/defiant could not kill him? or talk about how by sacrifice Solomon became the wisest to ever live and had peace all round all the while he lived? He was so famous that people gave him gifts because of his aptness, thoughtfulness and ingenuity, the Queen of Sheba left her kingdom to come vet his wisdom and confessed she was not even told enough about what she later saw.

  In conclusion, never play with that platform, opportunity, clime, sphere of influence! God has placed you there as an ambassador, shine ceaselessly, never compromise, remember the earnest expectation of this generation awaits the manifestation of the Children of God! Keep shining for Christ and draw men to him - let God be glorified by the reason of all you do!!!

Written by Babajide Samson Fayoyiwa, July 2020.

Image: Google photos