December 20 • Dealing with Opposition

Wait for God. God will come through for us, even when no one else will. We have been let down and frustrated. Others’ words and actions impact our spiritual steadiness. We struggle to trust another person or situation. And few things are as discouraging as people hoping we fail. The closer they are to us, the more it hurts. 

This is nothing new to God. Jesus was betrayed by one of his twelve disciples. Jesus was mocked and condemned by his own people. “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” [John 1] This was part of God’s plan for the Savior of the world. Why would God keep it out of your story? When you face opposition, you are more prepared to join Jesus in the Garden. You are more prepared to pray, “Not my will, but your will, Father.” [Luke 22] You won’t check out of life now- you know your life is on the line. We are transformed from lamenting our hardships to turning everything over to God.

“In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” [Psalm 56] Having people oppose us does not determine whether we are in the right or wrong. We may be right about certain things and wrong about others. What matters is considering whether God is opposing us. Turn your plans and life over to Jesus. He will come through for you. Not in the way or time you expect it, but you can be certain God will see you through everything.  

When you are willing to wait on God no matter what, no opposition on earth can deter you from doing what God has given you to do. We can join in the prayer, “Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men. For you, O Lord, are my hope; my trust, O Lord from my youth.” [Psalm 71]We can handle any opposition when we stand with God.