In The Face Of Opposition

Church Family:
Anger - Fear - Confusion - Defeat - Withdrawal. This can be the general pattern to our reaction to any opposition that comes against us as a Christian. This reaction of defeat is the exact opposite of what God calls us to.

After four months of preparation and prayer, Nehemiah was sent from the comforts of Susa and the Kings palace to the rubble of Jerusalem. Once sent, it took Nehemiah about another four to five months to travel 900 miles across land to get to where God had called him to go, Jerusalem. Nehemiah had been preparing for nine months. He had been thinking and praying and planning. During that time, God made things happen in King Artexerxes life and Nehemiah’s life that can only be explained by God powerfully working His purpose. The time had come and Nehemiah arrives on site to accomplish God’s mission that he had been called to do. And what happened next? Was he welcomed with open arms of great encouragement and support? No. He was welcomed with great opposition to the work God called him to accomplish. The world was against him, Sanballat, Tobijah, Geshem and all of their followers organized against Nehemiah day and night to thwart the work of the Lord and Nehemiah.

This is our promise as believers. As Christians we will always face opposition in this world. Don’t be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you (1 Pet. 4:12). This is nothing new. Paul promises that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). Jesus reminds us, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Mat. 5:12).

So, what do you do in the face of opposition? Do what Nehemiah did. He rested in the Lord in the face of the opposition (Neh. 2:11). He did not fear the opposition. He did not go into an anger fueled rage. He rested in knowing that God had sent him for such a moment and that God alone would give him a prosperous outcome in the face of that opposition (Neh. 2:20).

As a child of God you are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that God the Father has sent His Spirit to help you in the face of every opposition that comes your way. Resting in Christ in the face of opposition is resting on the truth that God is in control and that He will be victorious through you to the end. Rest in the Lord, move forward with boldness, enjoy the journey.

See you Sunday, resting in Christ: Steve