An Opportunity or a Test?

Call To Prayer

Topic: An Opportunity or a Test?

By: Daniel Peter

Date: 27.01.2025

“No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”  Genesis 39:9 NIV

On our destiny’s path, there will be many routes that promise to take us to our destination quickly. These routes may come to us as opportunities or open doors that we may need to sin to get through. Learning to say no to these opportunities will ensure we remain on the narrow path that leads to life.

Many characters in the Bible had these opportunities offered to them. Joseph was one who had a vision of himself as a ruler; however, he found himself as a slave in Egypt. While serving at Potiphar’s house, the wife of Potiphar offered him the opportunity to have sexual relations with her. For many, this would have been an opportunity to gain the favor of Potiphar’s wife: who knows if she would have spoken highly of Joseph and encouraged Potiphar to speak to the king about him (as some would say)? However, Joseph recognized this as evil and said no to it.

Another character in the Bible who had an opportunity to ascend to the promise quickly was David. While in the wilderness, running away from King Saul, twice he came in close proximity to King Saul and could have easily killed him. In fact, one of his associates said, “…Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice” (1 Samuel 26:8 NIV). Though the death of Saul would have made David king quicker, he knew that he would be sinning and said, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” (1 Samuel 26:9 NIV). He said no to this opportunity.

Our Lord Himself had to say no to such opportunities. When being tempted by the devil, He was offered all the kingdoms on earth by him. All Jesus had to do was to bow to him (Matthew 4:8-10, Luke 4:5-8). This was an opportunity that would have spared Him the cross, for what He came to die for and what was promised to Him as an inheritance (John 17:1-5, Hebrews 1:2) was what the devil was offering to Him. But He said no to this opportunity and chose to follow the lonely and painful narrow path.

It’s not every opportunity that comes your way that you should utilize, as many of what we call opportunities are the devil’s means to take us away from a relationship with Him. Learning to say no to such opportunities is a sign that we have our discernment sharpened, and in our hearts is to do His will.

Prayer Point

Let’s thank God for His word today. Let’s ask Him to help each believer reject evil and choose good.