Get ready everyone, because the time is drawing near where those that the world has revered as the most successful and the wealthiest will have to answer to God. We have watched the ungodly move among us with such arrogance and conceit. You may have thought many times, “How in the world have they been able to get over, while it seems that God’s people go without and are overlooked?” It can feel very much like this when you try to be an honest and caring person, and you see others get away with treating people poorly and stepping on whoever gets in their way. This kind of behavior from certain people shouldn’t be news to any of us. In 1John 5:19(NLT), God told us, “We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.” So we can’t be surprised by some of the things we see happening today. It serves to remind us that God’s Word is true, truth always wins, and God will never leave His people defenseless.
Many Christians have enemies. Even if you endeavor to live a quiet and peaceful existence, as long as you love the Lord and are called according to His purposes, you will have folks that dislike you; some of them would be happy to see you suffer. As intelligent beings, it is quite natural that we would try to understand why these things happen, especially when it comes to the seemingly unexplainable. We can’t explain why some people dislike us, or why they will turn on us so quickly, but Jesus Christ said in John 15:18 (NLT), “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” He spoke these words to the disciples because he knew they’d face opposition, and would do so for no other reason than the fact that they were lovers of Christ. It is the same with us some two thousand years later.
I hear many believers talk about how much difficulty they face in the workplace. People will try and provoke them because they want to see them lose out. These are co-workers of iniquity who would love nothing more than to see you never succeed. It’s troubling to hear, but Jesus spoke these words in John 15:18 as a way of preparing us for the treatment we would receive at times. He wants us to remember his example in these instances, so that we do not react in fear, doubt, and negativity; but rather we must respond with faith, confidence, and the assurance that God will never leave us or forsake us.
Opposition is very institutionalized. Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) tells us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” The enemy has a system of wickedness in high positions throughout all the world’s systems, but you and I are not to quake in our boots over this. We can’t cower away in a corner. Everything that has transpired in our lives has prepared us to stand as the overcomers that Jesus Christ gave his life to make us.
We made a decision to live for God; therefore, we are going to come under some form of attack by the enemy. It’s part of the Christian journey, and we have to accept this, but do not believe for one moment that you are too weak to prevail. Oh, my beloved brothers and sisters, this is one of the biggest mistakes we make. We fall prey to the enemy’s lies and tricks, because we lose sight of the enormous spiritual power we are packing. You have the very essence of God within your temple. He lives and abides within you. God tells us in 1John 4:4 (KJV), “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
Jesus Christ said in John 15:26 (KJV), “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.” The Holy Spirit that indwells you bears testimony continually of the power and love of Jesus Christ. This is the Spirit that is operating in us 24/7. It magnifies to the nth degree Romans 8:31 (KJV) which says, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
Our forerunners were known for encouraging each other by saying, “Hold on to God’s unchanging hands.” Years ago, when things were unbelievably perilous for them, this imagery suggested to some the troubled condition of a wounded soul that is too tired and weak to labor any further, and can barely muster enough strength to hold the Father’s hand. The body of Christ living today has received too much revelation and knowledge to continue to be in this condition. We ought to know what we have on the inside. We should be fully versed and know that we are fortified with ALL spiritual blessings. We can stand in the authority of Jesus Christ, and he gave his life that we could do so with faith and confidence.
We don’t have time to worry about the haters. God will take care of them. Look at Obadiah 1:2-4 (NLT):
The Lord says to Edom,“I will cut you down to size among the nations; you will be greatly despised. 3 You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully.4 But even if you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down,”says the Lord.
The judgement of the Lord is righteous and true. On this we can depend. He is the Almighty Judge who judges all. No one escapes His judgement. So we don’t need to spend one iota of our time thinking about the fate of the wicked. God has a much better plan for us. In Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NIV), He said, “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,”
Don’t make the mistake of putting your hopes in the hands of mere mortals and allowing arrogant, evil doers to make you feel powerless. This is a trick! Pray constantly, communicate with God often. See everything as part of His plan to prosper and elevate you. Yes, life can be challenging. Single mothers living paycheck to paycheck because they have no help from the father; women abandoned by their cheating husbands, and the overall disrespect levied against us even after we’ve given up so much to care for others. It can feel overwhelming, but we can’t give-in to this. No matter the situation, nothing is hidden from God. You are not without help and you are not without a resolution. God will restore all that has been lost, and set your feet upon higher ground. He promised us this in His Word. Simply trust Him!
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
“Your Enemy Destroyed, and You Restored” written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2016. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.