Tuesday, November 18, 2008

In the Face of Opposition

Ezra 4:6-16
At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, they lodged an accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem. And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes....
To King Artaxerxes,
From your servants, the men of Trans-Euphrates: The king should know that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations. Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and the royal revenues will suffer. Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king, so that a search may be made in the archives of your predecessors. In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place of rebellion from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed. We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.

As Nehemiah rebuilt the walls and gates around the city, Ezra and the priests rebuilt the temple. It was a remarkably fast project that had the blessings of God and no shortage of opposition.
But that is how it goes when you are carrying out a great work. You will have no shortage of opposition. When you attempt great things for God people will lie, cheat, and appeal to higher authorities to get you to stop. They will pick you apart to find your flaws and your weak points. They will criticize your methods and refuse to analyze your results. This is not limited to church leaders, but Christians as a whole. Try living a disciplined life. Try being more godly in your choices and in your lifestyle and see how the critics come.
As a result, church leaders and Christians must either develop thick skin, develop a support system to help pick off the persecutors, or fall into the world of mediocrity and maintain the status quo that doesn't upset the apple cart or attempt great things for God. The latter leads to ineffective ministry or a mundane Christian walk neither of which is glorifying to God in the least.
If you aren't facing opposition in your life or in your ministry, you must not be doing something right. (That's a bold statement... let it sink in a bit before you email me!)

We need Christians and church leaders who desire the approval of God not men, and I am tired of the temptation to bow down to the approval of Artaxerxes or the Israelites who wish to return to Egypt while neglecting the great work that God has called me to.

So bring it on... let's fight for God, and let him worry about the rest.


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