Dr. Michael Brown
April 3rd, 2022
Read Psalm 126:1-6
It’s when you’re under attack and facing adversity that you get to see what God has put within you and who He has made you out to be. In Jesus, you are more than a conqueror and an overcomer. Everything that the enemy will bring against you are stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks. They are not obstacles–they are opportunities. Instead of destroying you, they can make you more like Jesus and bring you closer to Him. God will use anything that the enemy brings upon you to strengthen you and encourage you. If you walk with him, all these attacks will be to the greater exaltation of Jesus. They will lead to you becoming more and more like Him, and they will lead more people to Jesus.
GOD IS FOR YOU
When the children of Israel were in exile, it was a dark and difficult time. It was a hopeless time for many and it seemed as though they would never be restored back to the land. In Psalm 126, God restores the fortune and the Israelites are returned from Babylonian captivity.
God reminds you not to minimize the attacks that you, your family, or even your brothers in Christ will come under. God is doing a good thing in your life and the enemy is attacking which is no surprise at all. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Satan is raging because his kingdom is being threatened. This is no surprise at all because so many souls are being won for Christ.
Having faith does not mean you deny the current reality, nor does it mean that you can’t deny any pain or difficulty. Faith means you ask questions, put them on the table and declare that no matter what happens…but God! Yes, the enemy is out to attack and destroy, but God! All you need to know is that God is for you.
DO NOT LET THE HARD TIMES STOP YOU
It is often through the most difficult times that you discover God in the deepest ways. No one likes the hard moments, the trials, and the hardships, but don’t you like what comes out of it when you realize you’ve been victorious?
The hard times are indeed hard, and they can be difficult, but you should not let them stop you. Romans 5:3-5 says, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” During the challenging moments, your hope deepens and you develop perseverance which in turn helps you develop character.
HIS STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN YOUR WEAKNESS
In your weakness, God’s strength is made perfect. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 says, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
In your shortcomings and inability to do certain things, God will teach you not to depend on yourself. You have to relinquish all self-confidence and place all your confidence in God. Do not deny the pain or agony of what’s happening. Trust in God that greater things are yet ahead.
Joseph was sold into slavery, and left to rot away in prison but God turned him into one of the most important persons in the ancient world to save millions of lives. If God can do that for Joseph, just imagine what he can do for you. Joseph’s story is a reminder that in your ministry, you will be betrayed and you will be let down. There are people who want to do you harm and it will hurt. But in Jesus you overcome. John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” It’s in those moments when you feel like you’re not going to make it but if you put your trust in God who raises the dead, nothing can stop you.
The crucifixion is the greatest reminder that God can raise you out of your situation. He raises the savior of the world and the one to whom every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The crucifixion, the attack of the enemy, and the hatred are real, but do not ignore them. Sometimes you need to step back and acknowledge that you have been through a difficult time. Do not minimize or deny your attack.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
How many times did you wish that you did not have to go through certain experiences? Looking back, won’t you say that because of those experiences, you are closer to God?
How do you view your trials and hardships? Do you see them as simply hard times or do you see them as opportunities to overcome and grow stronger in the Lord?
Are you in the right relationship with God? Are you here for the beginning, middle, and end of the race? Remember that all things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purpose.
Are the waters rising high right now and you feel like you’re going to drown? In those moments, remember that Jesus overcame the world and you can only go over, not under.
