Have you ever noticed how opportunity and opposition often show up hand in hand? As I read the book of Ezra, I was struck by the relentless resistance the Jewish exiles faced while trying to rebuild the temple. Lord, You parted the Red Sea. Couldn’t You have protected them from this ongoing conflict?

The exasperation I felt reflected my feelings over obstacles I’ve encountered. I smiled. Of course they faced opposition. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” (Jn. 16:33). Any big opportunity I’ve been a part of included major opposition. And smaller aggravations are a normal part of life.

In preparing to speak for a retreat I found myself asking, “Is it worth it?” The Holy Spirit gently reframed my question to, “Is He worth it?”

I remembered the opposition Jesus endured for me. “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12:3 NIV). If Jesus faced opposition, who am I to think my life and ministry should be easy. If He endured hostility and death for me, I can look past the aggravation to the other side too (Heb. 12:2).

Opposition doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going in the wrong direction. It may signal we’re on the right path.

Our spiritual enemy hates God and therefore hates His followers. Whenever we step out in faith to follow God, even in some small way, there will be opposition. We may not see the opportunity for fruit. But all obedience to God produces fruit within us just as disobedience injures us.

Israel’s Opportunity and Opposition

In Ezra 4, when the Jews returned from exile to rebuild the temple of God, God’s enemies pretended to worship the same God. They volunteered to help them. When the Jews refused their help, their true nature surfaced.

“Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia” (Ezra 4:4-5 NIV).

These trouble-makers manipulated King Artaxerxes to temporarily stop the Jews’ work. I bet you’ve experienced setbacks when you tried to follow Christ too.

Weeks before our family was to leave for a mission trip, a car rearended the car I was in on the freeway. Terrible headaches plagued me. Regretfully, I canceled my flight.

After I canceled, my headaches subsided. I called to see if I could get another plane ticket. I was not only able to get a ticket, I got one at a significantly lower price than my earlier one. We alerted our team, and everyone reissued their tickets and saved money. What the enemy meant for evil, God worked for our good.

Opportunity and opposition often appear together. The opposition may seem unrelated to the opportunity, but if it has the potential to hinder or discourage us, you can bet it’s related.

The Jews did rebuild the temple, and God gave us a fruitful mission trip. The next time I experience opposition I want to look for God’s deliverance. He’s always at work for my good (Rom. 8:28).

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33 NIV).

How have you experienced opposition when seeking to follow an opportunity? How have you experienced God in your challenge?

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Blessings,

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