This topic is bound to raise questions and I will not be surprised if some readers dismiss the statement as false or deceitful.
One of the greatest problems that has faced man since the beginning is the problem of enemies and there seems to be no solution in view.
Our enemies are those who hate us and may actively participate in activities that may divert our destinies, afflict us with dangerous and incurable sickness or even death.
Yet my topic states; “your enemies can promote you” This does not mean that your enemies will consciously promote you. It is their hatred displayed against you that will indirectly promote you without their knowledge or participation.
There are numerous people who are presently suffering at the hands of enemies through sickness, failure, disability, hardship and various types of afflictions by the evil manipulations of witchcraft and demonic powers. If you are in any of these categories, DO NOT give up! There is a way out.
These are masterminded by the Prince of darkness, SATAN, who is also described as the prince of this world. He operates on the land, in the sea, in the air and in the elements through numerous demons and agents.
The way out is to believe in the supremacy of the Almighty God and by faith surrender our lives to Him.
When God steps in, Satan bows out!
Jesus is the answer!
Let us look at the earth life of Joseph (Genesis 37:49);
Joseph was the beloved of his father Jacob and he demonstrated his special love for him by sewing for him a coat of many colours. This made his eleven brothers jealous and hated him for it. Thus they were enemies to their brother Joseph.
To make matters worse Joseph dreamt a dream in which he and his brothers gathered sheaves in a field. The sheaves were all the standing upright. Then all the sheaves of his senior brothers bowed down before his own sheaf. When the brothers heard the dream they hated him the more because it was an indication that in future they would bow down to their younger brother, Joseph.
Sometime later, Joseph dreamt that the sun, the moon and the eleven stars paid obeisance to him. His father rebuked him but his brothers’ hatred increased and they plotted against him.
One day Joseph’s father sent him to his brothers in the field. They seized him and were about to kill him but one of the brothers stopped them. Then they put him in a pit.
As the Ishmeelites passed by on their way to Egypt they sold Joseph as a slave to them. They killed an animal and dipped the coat of many colours in the blood. So they reported to the father that a wild animal had killed him. Joseph was then seventeen years old.
In Egypt the Ishmeelites again sold him to Potiphar, Captain of guard. After sometime Potipher’s wife tried to seduce him to commit illicit sex with her. She seized him but he escaped and ran out leaving his coat in her hands. She then shouted that Joseph attempted to rape her.
When her husband heard this he committed Joseph to prison. While in prison he interpreted the dreams of the chief butler and baker which came true.
Joseph was in prison until he was thirty years old. When the dream of the chief butler came true and when he was about to return to Pharaoh’s service, Joseph asked him to speak about him to Pharaoh but he forgot all about him.
PHARAOH’S DREAM
After sometime Pharaoh dreams a dream in which he saw that even lean cows devoured the seven fat cows. In another dream seven thin ears of corn devoured seven fat ears of corn.
All the magicians in Egypt could not interpret the dreams. It was then the chief butler remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about him.
Pharaoh sent for Joseph to be released from prison.
Joseph came and interpreted the dreams which he said meant seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. Pharaoh asked Joseph for advice. Joseph said that someone should be put in charge of gathering surplus food and stored in various places in Egypt during the seven of plenty. Pharaoh then immediately appointed Joseph as Prime Minister of Egypt, second only to him. What a great blessing and surprise!
Who were those that contributed to this great blessing? Were they friends or enemies? The brothers hated him and sold him to the Ishmeelites. The Israelites in turn sold him to Potiphar. Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him for attempted rape and he was put in prison. Thus the hatred of his brothers and the false accusation of Potiphar’s wife contributed greatly to make Joseph Prime Minister, unknown to them.
This is how God uses the hatred of your enemies to promote you when you are living in righteousness and the fear of God. Therefore brethren, do not trouble your hearts if people hate you as long as you have the fear of God. It will be just a matter of time before your story changes for the better.
Finally, note that the same way God Stood by innocent Joseph in his afflictions will be the same way he will take you to the top. Your present affliction is not your end.