Six Keys to Divine Promotion (From Mordecai’s Story)

I hear God speaking to many: “Beloved, I am working on your promotion!” Your Father is active behind the scenes; He is at work in the mystery.

“For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another” (Ps. 75:6-7, NKJV).

The word “exaltation” has also been translated as “promotion”; it means “to be raised up” (Strong’s H7311).

You’re at the Right Place for a Miracle

In 1 Samuel, Hannah declares, “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory” (1 Sam. 2:8).

So if it seems like you have been in an “ash heap” lately, you’re at the right place at the right time for a miracle! When it is God’s due time to promote you, nothing can stand in His way (Rom. 8:31).

Mordecai’s Extraordinary Promotion

In the third chapter of Esther, Mordecai is literally covered in sackcloth and ashes. He is mourning because his people, the Jews, face a decree of destruction. Amazingly, only a few chapters later, the king promotes Mordecai to second-in-command in the kingdom. So Mordecai walks out of the king’s presence wearing the king’s signet ring, in stately royal garments, with a gold crown (Esth. 8:2, 15).

What an extraordinary contrast!

By God’s grace, Hannah’s prophetic announcement is always on God’s agenda. But I believe this parallel story of Mordecai is a sign for someone right now!

6 Keys to Divine Promotion (From Mordecai’s Story)

The account of Mordecai’s quick advancement in the face of great opposition gives us a glimpse into what divine promotion looks like in action. So, if you have felt shut out, let down or persecuted, be encouraged: Mordecai’s story can be your story!

1. Realize Your Voice Is Powerful

One of the themes of the book of Esther is the power of speaking up—especially for justice and to right wrongs. We see this in Esther’s bold act of courage as she petitions the king for her people.

Mordecai speaks up when he discovers a plot intended to harm the king. As a result, scribes write about his actions in the royal records and God causes it to be brought to the king’s attention (Esth. 3:21-23; 6:1-3).

By the time Esther presents Mordecai to the king, he already has a track record of excellence, loyalty and leadership.

2. Be Aware that Persecution May Precede Promotion

Mordecai is a worshiper of God and as a Jew, he refuses to bow down to Haman, the king’s official. This causes Haman to fume and he plots not only to destroy Mordecai, but to take down all of the Jews with him (Esth. 3:1-6).

As with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Mordecai’s courageous stance draws persecution—but what the enemy means for evil, God is turning to good (Gen. 50:20).

Our God can turn persecution into promotion!

3. Receive Grace from God to Stand Firm

Mordecai’s story also tells us that in God’s sight, our character is important. The enemy, Haman, does all he can to ruin Mordecai’s reputation and destroy his life but God overturns those plans.

It’s a reminder that when pressure is coming against you, God’s power is working within you. And persecution only serves to bring out the best in Mordecai’s life.

4. Embrace the Power of God’s Favor

Favor is one of the great themes of the book of Esther. And the power of God’s favor, which marks Esther’s rise to royalty, is at work in Mordecai too.

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes” (1 Sam. 2:8).

Can God do that for you?

The answer is “yes,” because being an overcomer and rising up is not just something God does through you. Being an overcomer is who you are at the very core of your identity. This is who you are in Christ (Rom. 8:37; Eph. 2:4-6). This is a promotion that does not come through presumption or entitlement. Jesus teaches His followers to take the low seat and let God’s favor do the work of promotion (Luke 14:10).

5. See Your Victory with the Eye of Faith

Things look bad. But Mordecai already sees that the Jews will be victorious with the eye of faith. Like Caleb and Joshua before him, he knows that God will protect his people. He even tells Esther that if she does not intervene, God will raise up someone else to do it (Esth. 4:14)!

But God has chosen Mordecai and Esther to be His key people—inserted by God at the exact moment He needs them. This is a wonderful story that so clearly illustrates divine acceleration. When God has something for you to do, in His sovereignty, He will raise you up to do it. And even if people have rejected you or passed over you, God’s got you covered!

6. Step Confidently into Place

Once promoted, Mordecai’s first act is to counter the enemy’s decree—the one intended to annihilate God’s people—with a new one. He dictates that new decree aloud to scribes who write it down. He communicates in the king’s name, using the king’s seal. Then that decree is sent out, far and wide.

Ultimately, through this divine intervention, the Jews overcome their enemies and their mourning turns into dancing!

“You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy” (Ps. 30:11, NIV).

From ashes to the crown, from mourning to dancing—this is a move of God.

A Word for Every “Mordecai” and “Esther”

Can you relate to being a Mordecai or Esther? Here is a word from the Lord to meditate upon:

“Beloved, I have chosen you and you are My KEY person. I will insert you into situations at the right moment and I will use you to break open new opportunities, new relationships and to enter new territory. And, yes, it will be uncomfortable in the turning at times but know that I am with you. And as miraculous as the opportunity is, you will know that your presence here is not possible except by My grace. But you will know also that I have called and equipped you for this moment.

“I have brought you into the kingdom for such a time as this. And just as I raised you up from the ‘ash heap’ of your own low place, you are intimately acquainted with My grace and power. You will have uncommon faith—a faith that leads the way.

“Furthermore, you will know My compassion and love for others who are yet in dark places. Your reliance upon Me will be great. But many will rejoice in the deliverance that I am bringing throughout the land. The sound of rejoicing will follow deliverance, like after a wave. You will see it with your own eyes and rejoice, for I have called you to be a part of it. In the place of your assignment, you are My key.” {eoa}

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries in the David McCracken Ministries family. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in the areas of prophetic ministry, discernment and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog, an online prophetic training and mentoring resource that reaches thousands of people globally. Helen and Malcolm have been married for 37 years and are at home in Planetshakers Church, Melbourne, Australia.

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