Obedience in Opposition

​I stared at the screen in front of me, befuddled and exasperated, “Lord, why does this keep happening?”
 
Our church, as a body, had felt an unction to set up Spanish lessons for those who desired to learn so that we could open another avenue for the Lord’s Word and Will in the community we were currently in. Operating in obedience, we had been trying for over two weeks to set up an online meeting on a forum that was both user friendly and inclusive, jumping from platform to platform, trying and trying to find one that proved best, but still, due to various and frustratingly ridiculous reasons, we were met with no success.

​Every time we tried, we were halted by a proverbial wall.

Every time we moved on the Lord’s unction, walking in obedience, it was as if the devil was moving with equal force.
 
But still, knowing that this was the Lord’s Will, we kept exploring our options - we kept trying. In the end, we circled back to trying Facebook messenger’s video chat one more time.
 
And, finally, Glory to God, success was realized!
 
In Nehemiah 2 - 6, Nehemiah was given favor with King Artaxeres by God to, once more, bring redemption and restoration to the Jews. He was sent to Jerusalem to rebuild the ruins of the city and rebuild the wall surrounding it. While Nehemiah and his fellow builders were busy doing what had been ordained, they were met with aggression, intimidation, and even schemes to undermine and harm Nehemiah - opposition upon opposition.
 
But, what the Lord wills, no man can disparage.
 
Nehemiah, instead of being discouraged or giving in to doubt or fear, responded with holy defiance and blessed assurance, “Our God will fight for us!” (Neh. 4:20b).
 
When faced with physical aggression, Nehemiah girded his men with weaponry, stationing half at various points in the wall and the other half continued with the work at hand. Therefore, can we not say that when we are pressed from all sides, we can call forth the holy covering of the Lord, donning ourselves in the Armor of God and standing firm against our adversaries, knowing that we are well equipped and victorious.
 
When met with intimidation, Nehemiah rose up with holy indignation, rebuking the falsity. So then, when the enemy tries his best to disrupt our confidence in the Lord and His Will, we must rise up, heartened in the knowledge that His Will is the only will, casting out the emotional oppression with faith ablaze. 
 
When his very life was being threatened, Nehemiah responded with wisdom, outwitting his oppressors. Can we not also respond in the same manner? When the very fate of our spirits are threatened and goaded, we have every authority to pull upon the wisdom given us by the One from Whom it flows, allowing us the comprehension necessary for our next steps into blessed favor and sanctified security.
 
When Nehemiah faced trials and oppression, he didn’t stop, he didn’t question, he didn’t bow down to fear - he persisted, and in 52 days, the wall was complete. Even more, all the oppressors who once stood against him, now cowered at the realization of what Nehemiah knew all along: the Will of the Lord had been realized.
 
Sisters, brothers, friends, be emboldened! When we are walking in obedience down the path of the Lord’s will and find ourselves toe to toe with antagonism, we must gird ourselves with that holy defiance and blessed assurance, responding with wisdom and righteous rebuke. Take up arms, not the physical weaponry of Nehemiah’s time, but the Holy armor of God; stand with confidence, because even as the fight against us approaches, they could never stand a chance against the One who sent us.
 
Because, my friends, if God is for us, who dares to be against us?

Memory Verse: “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 NIV

About the Author

Hi Friends! I’m Faith, wife of five years to my wonderful husband, Ryan, and mama to the most precious earthly gift, our sweet 6 month old, Matthew. His little life will forever be a testament to God’s Faithfulness as he was the answer to many, many prayers after we lost our first little one in 2017. We live in a tiny little town in South Georgia called Sparks and I work as a Research & Development Technician within a breeding program for a seed company in a neighboring city. I enjoy my career but my heart and soul longs for the written word, specifically God’s Word. I’m passionate about writing and am ecstatic to be able to channel that passion into making known His Will here on earth - to be His vessel so others will know Him, His heart for us, and how wonderful a life lived for Him will always undoubtedly be.

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