Christmas of 2010, the joy of celebrating Christ's day, has passed. All disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ have once again marveled at the wonder of God who has so loved the disenfranchised, the broken-in-spirit, the ones laboring in self-destructive self-centeredness, and the ones afflicted with the guilt of failure and sin. We continue to be amazed that He would send the Redeemer of the world to them. His disciples have once again gathered with the shepherds, the wise men, the innkeeper, and with Simeon in the temple to rejoice at the salvation of their Lord. As I reflect upon the incomprehensible grace of our Heavenly Father in Christ Jesus our Lord, the words of an old hymn come to mind: "Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble."
We continue to marvel with amazement at the grace of our Heavenly Father even as we have now crossed the threshold of a new year. 2010 is now another of those years gone by, and 2011 lies before us with all of its unknown hopes, blessings, opportunities, possibilities and challenges. We know it is filled with some, if not all, of these things for each of our lives.
How will I face and journey through 2011 as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ? This is the question which comes to my mind. Perhaps those who are reading this join me in the experience of prayerful consideration of our level of faithfulness to our Lord and the disciplines which enable us to abide in our Lord Jesus Christ as we journey through this next year. Our burden is not to just make it through the next year, but to do so faithfully fulfilling our Lord's will for us even when we encounter opposition along the paths of our lives.
Opposition comes from circumstances, from controlling or rebellious people, from strongholds in our lives, or our own personal failures. How do we faithfully continue day to day to follow our Lord and His redemptive activity in and through our lives? This would seem to be an appropriate question for churches as well.
I once again began reading through Deuteronomy as I continue to abide in the word of God through daily devotional reading. As I read in Chapter 2 of Moses’ recounting a portion of the journey of the people of God, I took note of three important aspects of a successful journey with God, which I offer for your prayerful considerations.
First I noticed Moses was able to discern the voice of God in the midst of many responsibilities, challenges, criticism, and even failures on the part of the people of God. This of course is a result of Moses’ response to God's call to cooperate with God the Father in His redemptive purposes. Moses had responded with a singular commitment to His call. All believers are saved by the grace of God in Christ Jesus. If we as disciples are to be able to discern the voice or will of God, we must respond with a singular commitment to cooperate with God in His redemptive purposes and love, in and through our lives.
Second, I noticed even as the people of God faithfully followed God’s leading, they encountered situations of potential or active opposition. Four such situations are recorded in Deuteronomy Chapter 2.
- First is the potential of conflict with the people of Esau as they were to pass through their land.
- Then we find the people of God in a similar situation as they journeyed through the lands of Moab.
- Again God’s people encountered the same scenario with the people of Ammon.
- The fourth was very real opposition from King Sihon, who came out against the people of God as they were faithfully journeying with God.
When they experienced the first three occasions of possible opposition, God gave instruction to His people through Moses that they were not to go against the peoples that posed the possible challenges. The reason He gave for them not to do so is important. He was at work as the Sovereign of His creation, and His purposes were greater than the comfort, reputation, or desires of His people.
In our journey as disciples through this next year, we will encounter opposition. The opposition might be in circumstances, a change in direction, or through controlling or rebellious people around us. If we are to continue through 2011 faithfully, we will need to be abiding with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in order to discern His activity and cooperate with it.
Third I noticed that the instruction of our Lord was different when His people encountered King Sihon. The people of God were being faithful—even in the face of opposition. Even when God’s people follow Him faithfully, they may encounter intimidating opposition. Such opposition can evoke improper responses out of fear or even arrogance. The Israelites had learned a lesson at Kadesh Barnea where they rebelled against God because they thought the opposition before them was so great they could not continue the journey into the Promised Land as God was directing.
But this time they continued to be faithful to God's will and ways. They did not set themselves against King Sihon; they simply continued their journey with the Lord. King Sihon however rose up against them. He and his people stood against the people of God as they were seeking to be faithful. In verse 24 God spoke to Moses saying, "Go up against King Sihon for I have given him, his people, and his lands to you."
As disciples of Christ we will meet opposition, and we must abide in order to discern our Lord's activity in it. Sometimes we will simply move away from the opposition because of the Lord's activity, but at other times being faithful means we will meet and overcome the opposition. We need to exercise faith in the difficult circumstances. We must trust that our Lord is accomplishing His redemptive purposes, as we trust Him to work in us and sustain us in these difficult times.
We sometimes however must stand steadfastly and not submit to those people who would control or demand our submission to them when they stand in opposition to what we know is our Lord's will and ways as we continue our journey. We also must remember to stand steadfastly His way, empowered and guided by His Spirit, with complete faith in His presence and power.
We continue our journey with our Lord through life as we enter yet another year. Let us abide that we may be faithful on the journey, even in the midst of opposition, with complete dependence upon our Lord Jesus Christ who has loved us and given Himself for us. Let us abide as we remember His promise to never leave or forsake us.
