Many people try to avoid pressure at all cost but without pressure one will never be promoted to a higher and more mature level. Exercise requires the muscle to have resistance or pressure applied for it to grow. Test after test will bring forth strength to withstand even greater challenges. This is true for those who are called to do greater things in the Kingdom. Enemies will rise up against you and you will be challenged to see how you handle the stress. Will you walk in the confidence that FATHER is with you or will you display fear? Will you explode into rage?
Jesus had to endure great pressure. In Matthew chapter 26:
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.”
37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
The word “Gethsemane” means oil press. What an appropriate meaning for the place where Jesus had to place His mind, will, and emotions into submission for the good of all mankind. The betrayal was at hand and His enemies were soon to arrive, the pressure was building to a crescendo as the fulfillment of His purpose on earth was about to be completed. This process was necessary for Him to be exalted to the Throne over men’s lives here on earth.
When pressure comes, Love, faith, and hope should have you prepared to overcome your enemy. On the other side of the battle is your next promotion. These writings are meant to prepare you for greater things and the fulfillment of your purpose. You will have times when you have to go to your own Gethsemane and be encouraged before the confrontation arrives. Fear not but know FATHER will muster the resources to bring forth victory in your life. King David brought forth this declaration of faith in Psalms 27:
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.
4 One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
Remember, without the lion, the bear, and Goliath, David would not have been anything but a shepherd. Without Pharaoh, Moses would not have been needed to deliver the children of Israel. Without the enemies of Christ, the cross would not have happened. Deal with whatever life sends your way knowing that your Loving FATHER is with you. Pressure builds strength, strength brings forth victory, and victory results in promotion.