Written by Pastor Mark Driskill
October 27, 2011

Read Ephesians 4:9-10

“He who descended is also he who ascended.”

Before Jesus ascended to the heights of glory he had to descend to the depths of hell. The same Jesus, who went up, went down first. He had to enter into hell and heaven “that he might fill all things.” This Jesus we serve has not only gone far above the highest realm of existence he has also plunged himself into the depths of darkness that he might be truly Lord over all. What does this mean to us?

First of all it reminds us that Jesus has gone higher than we have ever been, and lower than we will ever go if we are in him. Jesus will never see anything in your life that is so high that he cannot make it still higher, nor so low that he cannot save you from it.

Second, we see in Jesus’ example a principle for the life of faith. You have to descend before you can ascend. Too many of us imagine that God will never have us suffer or lose anything on our way to His glory. We ask God to give us a greater anointing or ministry then wonder why we seem to be having more trouble instead of glory. Are you wondering today why this is happening to you? You asked the Lord to lift you closer to himself. You wept in church asking for more of Jesus while passionate tears flowed down your face. You knelt at the altar and pleaded with God to use you in a greater way. But now weeks later you are going through your own private hell wondering why God didn’t answer your prayers. But that’s just it. He is answering your prayers!

Before you can be exalted to a greater ministry you must be humbled and refined in the fires of difficulty. You see Jesus came to earth as savior, was crucified and buried. Then before he could take his place at the right hand of God He had to pass through hell and declare the victory complete. Right now as you pass through your little piece of hell the same thing is happening. Your victory is being confirmed and declared in the face of the devil. Satan is not rejoicing when you suffer according to God’s plan. He is trembling in fear that you will emerge and ascend to a new level of power and authority. He is hoping against hope that you will listen to his desperate lies and give in to despair before it’s too late. But very soon his worst fears will be realized and you will follow your savior out of the shattered gates of hell and into the glory of God. So hold on. Victory is just around the corner.

Pastor Mark Driskill
Web Minister of Begotten By the Word web ministry
See our website at http://ourchurch.com/member/b/bbtw
and
www.facebook.com (to group “begotten by the word”)
Begotten By the Word is a ministry of Helping Hands Christian resources-Evangelism Outreach
www.hhcr05.org
(Feel free to copy in any way that will bring glory to God and further his kingdom.)