Wednesday's Word

Hebrews 12:1-11 tells us that God deals with us as sons (and daughters) and that the resistance we endure prepares us for greater things.

Some are blatant, openly opposing you at every turn. Others are more subtle and devious, appearing as “angels of light” to entice you away from focusing on God's purpose. Your enemy may not even be a person. It may be a disease that threatens to take your health or even your life. It may be a financial reversal that pushes you to the edge of bankruptcy. Whether large or small, human or otherwise, enemies have one thing in common— they threaten to destroy your destiny .

The appearance of an enemy brings your life to a crisis point. You can either capitulate from fear and be destroyed—or you can face your enemy in the power of God and overcome. No enemy can harass you unless God allows it. And if God allows it, He has a reason. God's purpose is to bring you to maturity. If you are facing an enemy, take courage. God is preparing to elevate you. He is getting ready to take you to a new level.

Every athlete knows that bodily strength and stamina develop fastest against resistance. “No pain, no gain.” It is the same with our spirit. Resistance forces us to lose our mental and spiritual “flab”; to lay aside every encumbrance and get into “fighting trim.” The presence of an enemy propels us into depending on God for strength and victory instead of our own resources.

It says in Hebrews, “… let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us , and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” No chastening or resistance is pleasant at the time, but “afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Facing enemies prepares us for elevation.

Your enemies only look big. From God's perspective they are nothing. Once you learn to see them that way they won't seem so intimidating. Do enemies and opposition press on you from all sides? Hang in there. God is preparing to move you higher. Get ready to rise!

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You become a champion by fighting one more round. When things are tough, you fight one more round. ~James Corbett