The 2021 Summer Olympic Games taking place in Tokyo, Japan concludes today. I’ve enjoyed watching a number of athletes compete in several sports. Whether they earn a medal or not, nearly all of them have overcome difficulty, opposition, pain, loss, and injury to achieve world-class athleticism. I admire their dedication, resilience, and skill. They inspire me to do my best in all areas of my life even in spite of opposition or obstacles. What have you learned from observing people who are really good at what they do? How do you handle opposition? If you depend on God to fight, then you can not only assess the battle correctly, but you can overcome any opposition.
In the Bible the prophet and priest, Samuel, documented an exemplary way the shepherd boy, David, faced opposition. When David, confronted the Philistine giant, Goliath, in battle he did not compare Goliath to himself. He compared Goliath to almighty God. David was victorious over Goliath because he put God before himself (1 Samuel 17). He didn’t cower in fear from what could happen. He used his skill and knowledge, but he didn’t trust in his own abilities. He didn’t proudly fight for his own glory. Instead, David courageously stepped out in faith with God, for God, and for the benefit of others. His dependence on God helped him see that this was foremost a spiritual battle. The arrogant blasphemy of the Philistines defied Israel’s army. In essence, they were declaring themselves better than Israel, because their pagan gods were supreme to the one and only living God. David’s faith allowed him to face opposition realistically. He had full confidence that God would save the righteous even before it took place. From David’s reply to Goliath’s boasting, we see that God even revealed to David beforehand how it would happen. “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands’” (1 Samuel 17:45-47). Soon after David said this, God judged Goliath and the Philistine army for their hostile rebellion by delivering them into the hands of David and Israel.
Are you facing opposition from a particular circumstance or person? When you try to help others, share the truth, or stand up for what’s right do you get criticized, rejected, attacked, or knocked down? May David’s faith and victory encourage you. Also learn from countless others who have experienced God’s grace and power amidst difficulty like Noah, Job, Abraham, Esther, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Stephen, and Paul just to name a few (Genesis 6-9; Job 1-2; Genesis 21-22; Esther 4-6; Daniel 3; Daniel 6; Acts 6-7; Acts 20-28; 2 Timothy 3). Opposition is certain in our fallen world when you stand for what’s right. The apostle Paul instructed Timothy, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus told his followers, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
The obstacle is what you see when you take your eyes off the goal. Make your goal joyful, loving fellowship with God. Fix your eyes on Jesus who triumphed over every form of opposition and evil in order to save you and the world. “Endure hardship as discipline [Note: this is not punishment necessarily, but correction and training]; God is treating you as his children…God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who are trained by it” (Hebrews 12:7, 10-11). Do not be afraid of those who do evil. Commit your way to God and he will come through for you (Psalm 37). If you submit yourself to God, he can redeem opposition to prepare you to reign with him. Despite what you might be discouraged to think or despite what the devil may deceive you into thinking, here is the reality of any situation if you trust and obey God:
- God is greater than your circumstances.
- He loves you, he knows you, and he will not fail you.
- He will sustain you by his grace and power.
- His power is made perfect in your weakness.
- He is always at work saving and bringing everything together for your good.
- His methods and timing are perfect, even though mysterious at times.
- Although he allows temporary trials, he uses them to transform and equip you.
God is always preparing you for what he has next. He only calls you to do what he enables you to do. In this current season, believers are God’s hands and feet through which he has chosen to save people. The victory over sin, death, and Satan has already been won by Jesus at the cross, but there are a few lingering battles before Jesus returns as the conquering King to consummate his kingdom. So be encouraged. Although it is not easy, it actually is a blessing to suffer for the salvation of others and the glory of God. Paul wrote to believers in Corinth, “we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 14-18).
Here are a few practical things you can do to rely on God in the face of opposition. Pray for God to intervene and fulfill his promises. Ask for wisdom, courage, humility, love, and strength. Let God fight. Listen to what he tells you. Then do the next right thing, leaving the results to him. Be encouraged and thankful.
When you trust and obey God you realize you are secure in God’s love. Because of that, opposition does not have to be an oppression or something you must strive to conquer on your own. With God’s help it can become an opportunity to grow closer to him, to learn, to bless others, and to bring him glory.