When Opposition Comes (and It Will)
By Jennifer Waddle
Today's Bible Verse: O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” - Psalm 3:1-2 (ESV)
Of all the things that are uncertain in this life, there is something we can be sure of—opposition. Opposition will come, in one form or another, and we won’t always be prepared for it.
In the work place, it may come as a challenge to our ideas or strategies. In our families, it may be a retaliation against our principles. And in faith, opposition may come as a mockery or even a threat.
King David knew the severity of opposition and experienced it regularly throughout his reign. More than once, he fled into the mountains, fearing for his life. Frequently, he cried out to God over the extreme opposition he faced.
“Many are my foes! Many are rising against me!”
David’s experiences with his adversaries were most likely far greater than anything we have experienced or will experience. But no matter what, we can be sure of this: God is our Great Defender. There is no greater defense than that of our Father in heaven. And He urges us to allow Him to deal with our opposers instead of taking matters into our own hands.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19
If you’re anything like me, it’s easy to jump into “defense” mode. It can be difficult to let things roll off my back, especially when I feel wronged. Yet, so often in my rehearsed plans of retaliation, I sense the gentle voice of the Spirit saying, “Peace…be still. Let Me go before you in this.”
When we surrender our will to the Father, no matter how justified we feel, there will be an unexplainable peace that comes. Surrendering our “fists-in-the-air” attitudes and plans of pay-back will always result in a better outcome—an outcome that is surrounded by certainty that reminds us, “God’s got this.”
The more we live out our faith in Christ, the more people will oppose what they don’t fully understand. It’s a way of retaliating against something that challenges them in some way. If you and I are actively living out our faith, walking in the fruit of the Spirit and showing God’s love, that will be a challenge for some. And in that challenge, we may find ourselves greatly opposed. Harsh words, divisive questions, and rude comments might be the ways in which people come against us. But just as David, in Psalm 3, took those oppositions to the Lord, we, too, can release them to our Mighty Defender. For in the end, only God can right the wrongs of unjust opposition.
But the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge. Psalm 94:22 (NKJV)
Jennifer Waddle considers herself a Kansas girl, married to a Colorado hunk, with a heart to encourage women everywhere. She is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, and Abide. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com, where you can find her books and sign up for her blog, “Discouragement Doesn’t Win.” She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.
Related Resource: Deepen and Defend Your Faith Today
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