Prayer requests

We spoke yesterday of the devil's commitment to opposing the work of Christ's kingdom. This week we will talk about being ready for opposition. And knowing how to respond to it.

I feel such a strong motivation for this study -- I believe the Spirit is encouraging me to cover this material because some of us are going to face opposition very soon. All of us will face opposition at some point, but I have a feeling that this will be beneficial for some of us in the near future. You see, we all fall into the "things are going well" trap sometimes......
If all we had to read was Nehemiah 3, we'd think that the work on the wall went along without a snag! The people who built the gates are named, and the people who worked on this and that section of the wall  -- sounds like it was smooth sailing.
But.
You knew there would be a "but," right? (Grin)
But such was not the case.
Never is.
In chapters four through six, we are going to see multiple problems that needed to be overcome. There is actually a cycle of "steps forward" and "steps back" (or at least pauses before more steps forward) in these chapters!
Kinda sounds like our Christian lives, no? Life as a believer is one of conflict. There will always be opposition. The devil will try to get us sidetracked, sideways, bewildered, befuddled, or even make us give up completely! It was God's will and plan for the wall to be rebuilt, right? Why didn't He make it a little easier? These peeps were trying so hard . . . and even though, today, it's God's will and plan for us to grow strong in faith and to work hard to advance His kingdom, God still does not summarily remove the opposition.

If we respond properly, opposition will drive us to greater reliance on the Lord.
If we respond properly, opposition will result in our having greater determination to do what He has called us to do.
If we yield to opposition, we may be so discouraged we quit the work. We might settle for a mediocre, "meh" kind of life, instead of one of joy and peace in the midst of obstacles.
We can remember the words of the Lord, sent via a prophet to King Asa:

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (II Chronicles 15:7)

And Paul's words in Hebrews can encourage us, too:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Will you join me in praying for faith and strength, to do God's work in the new year?

Also, please leave a comment with a prayer request if we can pray alongside you about a concern in your life. It's a blessing and a privilege to pray with you.