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LET GOD SPEAK THROUGH YOU AND VICTORY WILL COME IN THE FACE OF 'ODD' WORLDLY OPPOSITION

In the end the truth comes out. And so, with that, we can have peace. God will speak for you.

And peace we need. For how many times does someone steal that peace from you?

How often are you "opposed by the world"?

How often do you face "odd opposition" -- odd because it comes out of nowhere (especially when you are getting closer to Him)?

Listen to Scripture:

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you," says 1 Peter 4:12.

Indeed!

At times we all find that inexplicable resistance, that mysterious dislike, and we want to lash out. It's unfair. We want our enemies (or whoever is provoking us) to have their comeuppance.

Do you know the feeling? Haven't you had times -- probably many -- when suddenly (and for no good reason) the world seems against you? You brush everyone the wrong way?

That's because at times the world is against you. We recall always His words: "Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you" (1 John 3:13).

"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you," it says elsewhere (John 15:18).

Now here (John 7:7) it gets more explicit: "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil."

There you have it! There will be opposition because of the opposition of Satan and we know it but somehow it still smarts, somehow it still surprises. We know but we forget that we are opposed when we are doing His work and ready to experience great joy.

There may be a slight. There may be an insult. A honked horn. Dirty looks. All in the same day, a rude clerk.

It may be just a sensation -- the buzz of negative energy. The devil senses Christ around you.

But unless you're provoking it (make sure you are not), or need to mount an emergency defense (against dangerous opposition), shrug it off. Offer it up. Fight it with holy patience. An opportunity for grace this is. Jesus resurrected on it!

If you are shunned by the world, don't let it get you down. Don't feel like an outcast. Don't allow it to create an inferiority complex. Mostly, don't strive to concoct a long, involved argument. Usually, it's a waste of emotion!

Instead, wait for God to speak through you.

He always will -- with timing that is impeccable.

Moreover, if you wait upon Him, your enemy will heed your every word.

Hashing and rehashing succeeds only at exhausting (and magnifying negative emotions). Don't turn slights over and over in your mind. Forgive. Forget. Send love. Words and more words. Forget it. When it's out of God's timing it's a waste of time.

Instead, wait for His guidance. The right moment will come. God will write your legal brief for you! He will speak through you. If we say we will forgive but will not forget, we're fooling ourselves; we're going nowhere; we're binding ourselves to a negative.

"He will bring forth your righteousness as the light," says Psalms (37:6), "and your judgment as the noonday."

"I will deliver your enemy into your grasp" says 1 Samuel (24:3-21).

"I will give you rest from all your enemies" (2 Samuel).

He will not tarry -- if you are patient, if you pray, and especially if you have mercy (which means humility and constant forgiveness -- making forgiveness your new joy).

In the peace of intuition will come every response.

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