20 "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. 21 Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. 22 If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you. (Exodus 2)
38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (Acts 5)
These two verses struck me and spoke to me today. They seem to wrap themselves around a single concept. God is looking out for us. In Exodus 23, God provides an angel to guard and bring the children of Israel to the place he has prepared for them. Namely, the promised land. But the Israelites are warned to pay attention to the angel, and to obey, because rebellion will not be forgiven. Why? Because God’s Name is in him. Holy. Pure. Righteous. Obedience to God’s angel will keep God on the Israelites’ side. God will be an enemy to our enemies and will oppose those who oppose us. God will be a faithful friend.
In Acts 5, Gamaliel advises the Sanhedrin to leave the Christ followers alone. He said, essentially that if their activity is their own, it will fail. But if it is from God, nobody can stop them. The powers to be will only find themselves fighting against God. And that will be futile. It’s implied because God is in control. Period. Gamaliel obviously knows enough to respect God. So, God will oppose the Sanhedrin if they oppose God’s men.
Sounds like the same concept. God will be an enemy to our enemies and oppose those who oppose us. God is our faithful friend. He will lead us to the place he has prepared for us. He will fulfill his purposes for us. Period. We really do not need to get hung up on that. It is a done deal.
So, why do we struggle so much with this? Because we cannot see where God is taking us? Because we cannot see the unseen battle? Because we do not know God’s means of accomplishing His purposes? Because we have not stopped and listened and walked in the Spirit with God to know his purpose, where He is leading, to know His promises? Because we are human, flawed, get tired, take our eyes off of God and become terrified at what we see?
LORD, may we recognize that You are sovereign. May we take comfort in Your goodness, mercy, favor, and love for us. May we be still and silent long enough to realize, recognize You. And what You are doing. May we hear Your voice. May we sit with You, walk with You and stand our ground with You, in victory. You are our faithful friend. You will oppose those who oppose us. Your purposes for our lives will be fulfilled. May we, in turn, be faithful, obedient, bold and strong, knowing You are with us. Amen.
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