Unopposed may mean we pose no threat - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Judges 8:1,6,

"Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, 'Why have you treated us like this?
Why didn't you call us when you went to fight Midian?' And they
criticized him sharply... But the officials of Succoth said, 'Do you
already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why
should we give bread to your troops?'"

Gideon found, as many have over the years I suspect, that while on
mission for the Lord, resistance is encountered. At the beginning of
this chapter in Judges, Gideon is criticized for not calling for help
from the Ephraimites in his mission from the Lord. On the east side of
the Jordan we are told that when Gideon asked for help from the people
of Succoth and Peniel, he was criticized for asking for help before he
captured the two leaders of the remaining Midianites, Zebah and
Zalmunna. What Gideon encountered was a kind of "damned of you do and
damned if you don't" scenario of opposition in the pursuit of Zebah
and Zalmunna. Gideon responded to each accordingly. He sought a "pass"
from the Ephraimites through an appeal couched in humility. For the
other, he assured the people of Succoth and Peniel he would take out
his revenge on them for refusing to provide his troops relief. Later,
he delivered on his threat.

There are numerous accounts of folks on mission from God facing
criticism and opposition. In 2 Timothy 4:14-15 Paul warned Timothy of
Alexander the metalworker who had "strongly opposed our message".
Earlier in that letter Paul speaks of the men of our day, men of
depraved minds, who would opposed even the truth, 2 Timothy 3:8. Paul
suffered opposition from the Jews on many occasions and in Corinth he
told them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my
responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." Acts 18:6. In
Acts 13 we read of Elymas the sorcerer and his opposition to Paul and
Barnabas. John tells us that as the saints act in righteousness the
world will hate them, just as Cain murdered his brother, 1 John 3:13.

At times we live our lives in a bubble where we fail to appreciate the
spiritual conflict that rages around us. I know I do from time to
time. Satan and the world opposes the advances of the kingdom of God.
The deceitful and the spiritually perverse feel threatened as God's
people carry out God's purposes. Opposition will happened. We need to
expect it and not feel threatened by it. We all know what the eventual
outcome will be in all things. Our God calls us to service and as we
encounter opposition, if we keep our hearts and minds on Jesus Christ,
we find a strength and a desire to press ahead. How could we do any
less for the One who gave his life for us, who has made a way for us
into eternal life with him?

If one does not experience opposition in pursuit of the things of God,
he might just question the nature of that pursuit. Given the spiritual
conflict that surrounds us, should opposition not be expected? From
the accounts in Scripture, it sure seems that way. So, if you are
facing opposition in doing things for God, take heart! It may just be
the greatest validation that you are having positive impact in
furthering God's kingdom.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com