Difficulty in the Bible is probably best epitomized in the book of Job. Throughout the book, Job encounters insurmountable hardships.... he lost all of his children, all of his livelihood, and all of his health. He had nothing in which to rejoice. But it's important to ask a deeper question when examining his story: what was the source of his hardships? Who was bringing all of this against him? A quick read through the first few chapters reveals very clearly that none of it was from God. Yes, God allowed it to work a greater purpose. But it was not by His hand that Job was oppressed. It was by the hand of the Enemy.
How often, during times of difficulty, do we simply accept feelings of hopelessness and despair as trials of faith from God, instead of fighting them? When should we accept God's training, and when should we take up a sword and fight against the Enemy's agenda in our lives?
I think I've shared this before, but last fall, I went through a season involving phases of fairly intense guilt over past regrets. For awhile, I thought it was God's hand showing me where I had been wrong. But during this time, God led me to a chapter in Leslie Ludy's Set-Apart Femininity that shed a new light on the situation. By examining the nature of God and the nature of the Enemy throughout the Bible, we gain a deeper perspective on what is from God, and what is an attack against His work. In my case, I could tell quickly that the phases and depression and guilt were not from God. In 2 Corinthians, Paul talks about "Godly sorrow", and how God uses a form of regret over past sins in our lives. But his goal is not to condemn; it's to heal, and protect us from repeating the same mistake again. The Enemy's goal is to destroy us in guilt, and spread the lie that God's forgiveness is not enough. Romans 8:1 makes it clear that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ; the attacks were not coming from God.
Set-Apart Femininity gave some further insight on a few similar issues. Take a look:
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"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
-James 1:17
God has created us to know Him more intimately, and glorify Him. He does not change, and He is without guile; we can take Him at His word. He will not lead us into paths of doubt. He will not lead us to condemnation. According to 1 Peter 2:9, God has called us into marvelous light. Light is clear, bright, joyful and glorious; not confusing, blurry and dark. Satan is the father of lies and darkness; his aim in our lives is to draw us away from God, and he has an agenda by which to do it.
Anything of confusion, fear or darkness, or that causes us to lose hope and confidence in God,
is not from God.
Discipline vs. Abuse
Hebrews 12:5-7 describes the qualities of discipline from God; He gently trains His children to draw them back to His own heart, as a father. When children are being disciplined, they don't see it as love..... but it is. God is our loving father and bridegroom; the enemy is a prince of abuse, and harshness.
"The loving Bridegroom is a patient listener, affectionate, an advocate and rescuer, willing to give up His life to save, and quick to respond to the need of His bride. Words of love and kindness are constantly on His tongue, and prayers are continually ebbing forth for the benefit of His beloved."
-Leslie Ludy
He will NOT abuse His beloved in His correction.
Anything of an abusive nature is not from God.
Shepherd vs. Roaring Lion
Psalm 23 famously praises God for being our good shepherd, who laid down everything to protect His sheep.
"As our shepherd He is deeply interested and concerned in even the smallest matter, watchful, and constantly alert to the needs of His own. He never tires. He never sleeps. He is always looking upon His lambs with an affectionate gaze, ready to fight and defeat any fiend who would dare attack those under His care."
-Leslie Ludy
Compare this to the lion attacking the sheep. He comes to destroy, and to kill. He brings death and danger in his path. He controls the sheep's attention and respect, by fear instead of love. He threatens, and causes anxiety. Would anyone be able to say that the loving shepherd has these same characteristics?
Anything of death, destruction, defeat and anxiety are not from God.
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Think about all of that..... how many events in our life to we accept because we think they are from God, when they may truly be attacks from the enemy? God's nature is one of victory, and He has given us a supernatural arsenal to fight the forces of hell, not simply to give way to their agenda. Look at some of these promises:
He will supernaturally protect us from harm.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
-Psalm 91:9-12
He will not withhold any good thing from us.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
12 Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
-Psalm 84:11-12
He will give us supernatural strength in Him.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
-Isaiah 40:29-31
He will give us power over the enemy.
29
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
-James 4:7
He will stand against all who stand against us.
29
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn.
-Isaiah 54:17
God is for us. Anything He does in your life will be for good. He seeks to restore your soul, not to crush it. And He has given you everything you need to crush the enemy's lies in your life.
And if our God is for us,
Then what could stand against?
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