Opposition is part of life. People will disagree with us, walk a different path than we do, and may even end up rejecting us. Life throws difficulty at us even in the simplest of tasks. Every day seems to be an uphill battle. Division is a matter of course, and the gap between the sides seems to be widening more each day.
This causes some to withdraw from society even to the point of reclusion at times, to quit organizations that we once found comfort in, to stop gathering with our friends, and to lose our interest in what is going on around us. Reclusion is preferable over conflict.
If we maintain a human focus, we get discouraged, depressed and dejected; however, if we take God’s view on the events of the moment, we take heart, rely on His faithfulness, and trust Him with the outcome. We do our best, and then find patience, peace and joy by walking in God’s ways and by the direction of His Spirit (Numbers 13:30, 14:8-9).
A yield sign is not a stop sign, it is simply a reminder to pause and to wait on God, to look both ways to see what opposition and danger may be looming on the horizon, and to proceed with caution. We follow the leading of God’s Spirit rather than our human intuition, our gut feeling, or what our heart is telling us to do (Jeremiah 17:9).
God promises us a harvest, if we do not succumb to weariness and give up, stop trying, or crawl within a shell and hide from life’s hostility (Galatians 6:9). He helps us to be strong and courageous rather than fearful and panicky. He does not want us to faint or to give up, because He walks with us and in us every step of the way (Hebrews 13:5; 2 Joshua 1:9).
We are strong in the strength of His might, directed by His wisdom, and fortified by His power within us (Ephesians 6:10; Isaiah 41:10; Philippians 4:13). God supports us in every endeavor, if we remain faithful to His will in the face of the stiffest opposition (James 1:12).
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for giving us the desire and power to do everything that You call us to do in Your way and timing (John 14:27; Philippians 2:12-13). We have no need to fear opposition when we are filled with Your peace about every situation (John 16:33). Our Biblical models were people of faith, and they drew their strength from You. Teach us to follow their example.
(Hebrews 11; Daniel 10:19).
When we submit to Your directions, and trust You with our whole heart, then we find streams of refreshing in the midst of every obstacle. We prosper through our obedience to Your purpose for our life (Psalm 1:1-6). Help us to draw from the strength of Christ within us (2 Timothy 2:1). Remind us to have patience to wait on You with contentment in our heart (Philippians 4:11). Thank you that we are assured than no opposition can separate us from Your love and care for us (Romans 8:35).
Thought for the Day:
We continue the work of the Lord with the dawn of each new day, because He is with us and in us; we are more than conquerors when we focus on His perfect plans for us, are led by His Spirit each moment of the day, and walk in obedience to His guidance even when we do not understand His reasons or we feel afraid.
- Haggai 2:4; Romans 8:37; Psalm 119:15
