WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU HAVE OPPOSITION?

We all face enemies and difficulties. Some more than others. The question is not, “Will I find myself there?” but “What will I do? How will I respond when I face my enemies?”

THE PSALMS

… are such a tremendous source of encouragement and direction in these times. David was there for a long season. He went to the bottom, chased like a dog by the very man whom he’d only tried to love and serve. Saul tried to kill David, to get him out of the way for fear that David was going to take his place.

This is often what enemies do. They may not pick up a literal spear, like Saul, but they try to harm and minimize you, often with words and actions. They want you out of their way and it is astounding the depths they will sink to in seeking to eliminate your influence and authority.

DAVID

… took the godly steps, always forgiving and continuing to love Saul, but standing as needed. But there was a bottom-line response that carried him through until God brought the ultimate resolution. It’s voiced often in the Psalms.

Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. But You, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction. Men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.  (Ps 55:22–23)

David knew that there was One who will never forsake those who humbly trust Him. He also believed that God never leaves His throne and rules over the affairs of men. He will always vindicate His name and His children who trust Him. There are some things He may lead us to do in the battle, but there are other things that we must leave in the hands of an all-knowing King.

His timing never seems to fit our desires, but He has purposes that can never be accomplished any other way. God is never in a hurry—even when we are suffering at times—but always on time. And His grace is always sufficient. Often, the length of the trial is related to the depth of the work He wants to accomplish in us and the magnitude of the deliverance He plans.

We can always trust Him and cast (like a wrestler who lifts an opponent and tosses him to the mat) our burdens upon the Lord. He will sustain us through the ordeal, and He will always vindicate all those who trust in Him.