Adversaries Amidst Advancement

For a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. I Corinthians 16:9 (New American Standard Bible)

Paul knew when God had opened a door of ministry for him in particular areas. He knew the work God would do through him would be effective and full of fruit. But he also knew adversaries would be present. He knew the enemy would not sit back and allow God’s work to continue unhindered. When I think of the Apostle Paul’s ministry I see it full of persecution, trials, hardships, and difficulties. None of this came as a surprise to him. It was all part of what was to be expected. Was he a doomsayer? No! He was a realist! He did not operate under the false idea of a trouble free life. His attitude was such that being in the center of God’s will often makes you the prime target of attack.

It is no different for us today. Many find that when they begin to walk with God in a fuller way, troubles just seem to appear out of no where. Our main adversary, the devil, hopes that his tactics will lead to discouragement and the eventual abandonment of our desire to link arms with God. He has a whole arsenal available to use against us: health issues, financial difficulties, losses, broken relationships, unexpected emergencies, peer pressure. He is hoping that the things we experience will cause us to view God as unloving and uncaring and the journey as too difficult and not worth it.

How gracious of God to forewarn us that attacks would come. His desire is that each episode would cause us to draw closer to Him, review truth, hold to Him tighter, and continue on in victory. When a season proves to be most difficult it eventually results in knowing God in a deeper way, gaining strength, and experiencing growth beyond what I had originally thought. Yes, the adversaries abound but God’s Word, God’s work, God’s presence, and God’s accomplishments abound even more. Those things I hunger for the most are brought about amidst the most trying circumstances but it is worth it!

Father, while I may see the enemies’ fingerprints all over the place, I also see Your fingerprints. I determine to keep my eyes on You. I refuse to allow any difficulty to malign Your character. With a renewed perspective I move forward! Amen.

The Battle Belongs to the Lord - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp_PolBwjEw

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.