The Issue of Opposition

My Issue with Opposition

Now when they (the magi) had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”

Do you ever face opposition in your life?  I have, Mary and Joseph did, and virtually everyone else has as well.  You are not alone.  But if you are like me, when first reaction is often that I want to say, “Lord, now what?  I am trying to follow you and obey you the best I can by Your strength.”

As Christians, the thing we need to remember, when opposition arrises, is this:  It’s not necessarily because I have done something wrong or somehow disobeyed God.   

Sometimes opposition is directed by God because we have are not in the center of God’s will, and he is lovingly calling our name and trying to get our attention to bring us back to where we ought to be. 

But other times opposition comes when we are doing exactly what God has asked and we are in the center of His will.  In fact, when we are in the middle of God’s will there will always be opposition directed by satan, to defeat or un-track us.  

Joseph and Mary were in the middle of God’s will.  They had been chosen to be the parents of the Son of God and they had done all that they were asked.  So why the opposition?  Because Satan does not want God’s will to be done.  Satan was attempting to defeat God’s will and destroy the son of God.  And he was using a person (King Herod) to do it.  God knew what satan had put in Herod’s heart to do.  Mary and Joseph where right where they were supposed to be, and God moved them.  I am sure it was unsettling to them to have to move, but not as unsettling as the opposition they faced.   Bottom line, God clearly directed them according to His will.  So that they could stay in the center of His will.  And God protected them in the center of His will.  

When opposition stares you in the face what should you do?  One, turn to God in trust.  Second, ask God to search your heart and make clear if you are where you are supposed to be according to His will.  He will make it clear to you.  If you are not in the middle of His will, get there.  Third, don’t let satan discourage you with opposition.  If you are in the center of God’s will, satan will oppose you.  But God will protect and direct you.  4th remember that when opposition came for Mary and Joseph, they did not ask God to take away the opposition.  In fact when the disciples faced opposition they did not ask Jesus to take it away either.  Instead they asked for boldness as they faced the opposition! (Acts 4:24-31)

My issue with the issue of opposition?  Don’t take issue with it, Allow God to examine your heart, and trust him.  He will deal with the issue and He will not leave you nor forsake you.