Just Thinking . . .
Matt. 10:16-19 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves . . . On my account . . . they will arrest you . . .”
Jesus had just given his apostles power and authority to heal and to deliver from sickness and evil spirits. Along with this authority, he gave a warning that persecution will come – like a “package deal”. We know from scripture’s and history’s records that persecution often did come. As a result, the good news was disseminated far and wide. God was ultimately glorified.
Some expect that persecution will come in the form of spiritual attack on health and finances and loved ones as we step out in obedience to God, but there is something that just doesn’t sit right with me in that expectation. I have even heard people say that such opposition is a sign that we who are seeking to follow Jesus must be doing something right – we are a real threat to the enemy. (This tends to glorify us more than God, doesn’t it?)
Well, there may be some truth in that belief, but what about all God’s promises of protection and provision, strength and blessing for those who fear and love Him? Surely they count for more than the threats of the enemy! If the devil consistently succeeds in taking us down either before or after every bit of Kingdom work, shouldn’t that indicate that we must also be doing something wrong?
I may be missing something, because I am still learning about spiritual things. Perhaps persecution does come in these forms. What I have seen so far, though, is that it came to Paul through men’s opposition – men undoubtedly under the influence of evil, through ignorance, pride, lust, selfish ambition or any number of sinful entryways for the influence of Satan – but still, through the agency of sinful man.
I believe it could be my own choices that make me vulnerable to enemy attack. The devil is always on the prowl, seeking whom he may devour, kill, rob or destroy. If I am making foolish or sinful choices, I make myself vulnerable. I am not sure about this, especially since the recent CML diagnosis I am dealing with – I’d rather not believe it is a result of anything in me that has opened the way for it. On the other hand, if it is something I have done, then as soon as I find out what it is, I can hope to regain some control of my life through repentance and trusting in God’s mercy. (I confess, I kind of like this idea of control!)
Perhaps the test should be, “Does this glorify God?” I can’t see how sickness, financial setbacks and relational troubles glorify God. However, I am pretty sure the early believers who were fed to the lions couldn’t see how their suffering did either, unless the Lord gave them a revelation to strengthen them.
Even so, I choose to believe that God’s promises have more weight than the devil’s threats, and that even when we do get taken down through sickness and other troubles, the Lord is with us to heal and deliver and bring good out of any situation to those who love and worship Him in Spirit and in truth. I choose not to dwell on what the enemy might do or might have done, for that gives him glory, perhaps even relinquishing to him again the power that has been restored to us in Jesus’ name. I will, by God’s grace, believe that God is true to His word and that He in me is greater than he who is in the world!
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