Isiah 54:17 “No weapon forged against you will prevail,
    and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
    and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the Lord.

On the one hand, we see massacres of Christians in places like the Congo, South Sudan, and elsewhere, and wonder about the fulfillment of this promise. On the other hand, we see things like the humiliation of Iran in their opposition to Israel, and it seems to come directly from this prophecy. There are many things we don’t understand! Rather than getting tied in knots over it all, the path of wisdom is choosing to trust God. On a personal level, we are most likely to relate to this verse in terms of verbal attacks. Most of us experience such from time to time, and the more active we are in obedience to God, the more likely they are to come. They certainly aren’t fun, and they sometimes even have legal ramifications. People standing on Christian principles have been taken to court in the US and the UK, at the very least. We aren’t to let such things shake us, whatever the situation looks like in the short term, but simply confirm, in all humility, that we are on God’s side of the issue, and leave the outcome up to Him. That, frankly, is easier said than done. However, going through such an experience can actually give us an unshakable faith. It is when we realize that we can do absolutely nothing that God is free to act. I have recently read a rather persuasive argument that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was a person who actively opposed him and his message. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) Of course, God’s response to Paul was that His grace was sufficient for him, regardless of the situation. That’s not the kind of answer we want to hear, but it is the one that leads to the most growth and ultimate blessing.

I don’t feel like I’ve had many active enemies, and at times I’ve been a bit concerned that indicated I wasn’t being sufficiently active in my obedience to God. I’ve probably been my own worst enemy! That’s for God to decide, however, and I’m not to be anxious about it. The point for me now is to be faithful in my obedience. I am tempted to draw back because of age, but Moses didn’t enter into his full ministry until he was older than I am now. I can be assured that whatever path the Lord leads me on, He will be my defender and my shield. If I’m listening to Him, I don’t need to worry about what anyone else says!

Father, thank You for this encouragement. Thank You for the things You have done in the gallery show to this point. Thank You for what You will do today, tomorrow, and Monday. Thank You for each person who has come. There are several we were expecting, or whom we earnestly desired to come, who haven’t showed up yet. I pray that Your will would be done in each case, so that not our plans but Yours would be fulfilled, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!