Tattenai must have wished he had not asked the king to help him stop the Israelites from rebuilding the temple. The king not only rebuffed the governor’s request, he commanded that all the expenses come from Tattenai’s revenues!
God knows how to put those who oppose His followers in their place!
I’m reminded of the stories of Haman from the book of Esther, of the Pharaoh who chased Moses and the Israelites into the Red Sea, of the Pharisees who Jesus rebuked.
And of the coming judgment foretold in Revelation.
So what about when that doesn’t seem to be happening?
What about when our enemies seem to have the upper hand?
Well, it isn’t because God isn’t able to defeat them.
It has to be because He has other plans.
Maybe His plans are to humble us.
Maybe He wants us to learn to forgive as we’ve been forgiven.
Maybe He wants us to demonstrate sacrificial love that wins over our enemies and draws them into the kingdom.
Maybe our ‘enemy’ isn’t so much a person as a circumstance: cancer, illness, poverty, injury, mental illness, or depression.
Rest assured, God is able to save us from any circumstance. We can pray in confidence, knowing that the only question is our understanding of God’s Will; there is no question of His capability.
As we pray for God’s salvation, whatever the opponent we face, we also pray for understanding of God’s plan.
We pray for victory over those intent on destroying God’s people, pray for safety and effective witness for those imprisoned, for freedom and boldness for those carrying the gospel, for wisdom and discernment for those serving in places hostile to their message.
We pray for strength as Samson did before pulling the temple of Dagon down on himself and the enemies of God.
We pray for provision as Elisha did for the widow as she used the last of her grain and oil to feed him, rather than herself.
We pray for acceptance of His Will above our own, as Jesus did in Gethsemane.
What opponents are you facing today? How can I join you in prayer?
God knows how to put those who oppose His followers in their place!
I’m reminded of the stories of Haman from the book of Esther, of the Pharaoh who chased Moses and the Israelites into the Red Sea, of the Pharisees who Jesus rebuked.
And of the coming judgment foretold in Revelation.
So what about when that doesn’t seem to be happening?
What about when our enemies seem to have the upper hand?
Well, it isn’t because God isn’t able to defeat them.
It has to be because He has other plans.
Maybe His plans are to humble us.
Maybe He wants us to learn to forgive as we’ve been forgiven.
Maybe He wants us to demonstrate sacrificial love that wins over our enemies and draws them into the kingdom.
Maybe our ‘enemy’ isn’t so much a person as a circumstance: cancer, illness, poverty, injury, mental illness, or depression.
Rest assured, God is able to save us from any circumstance. We can pray in confidence, knowing that the only question is our understanding of God’s Will; there is no question of His capability.
As we pray for God’s salvation, whatever the opponent we face, we also pray for understanding of God’s plan.
We pray for victory over those intent on destroying God’s people, pray for safety and effective witness for those imprisoned, for freedom and boldness for those carrying the gospel, for wisdom and discernment for those serving in places hostile to their message.
We pray for strength as Samson did before pulling the temple of Dagon down on himself and the enemies of God.
We pray for provision as Elisha did for the widow as she used the last of her grain and oil to feed him, rather than herself.
We pray for acceptance of His Will above our own, as Jesus did in Gethsemane.
What opponents are you facing today? How can I join you in prayer?
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