Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a person’s enemies will be the members of his household.
—Matthew 10:34-36

Reflection

Yeshua said, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” We have to be more concerned with standing with Jesus than with getting along with flesh and blood.

Sometimes, if you are going to inherit everything that Jesus has for you, and if God is going to be able to do for you as much as He wants to do, you are going to have to make a decision to stand with Him, even if it alienates certain people you are in relationship with right now. Elijah’s relationship with Yahweh, the God of Israel, put him at odds with his culture and with most of those who surrounded him.

There may be relationships in which you are unequally yoked with someone who is ungodly and continually makes fun of your relationship with Messiah. Beloved, the Lord wants to prove Himself to you and to me, so do not be afraid to stand with Him, even if it means losing some relationships.

Ask Father God to cause His glory to fall in your life, just as it fell on Mount Carmel. Ask Father God to prove Himself on earth within your sphere of influence. When Jesus walked on earth, He was always in control. Even when He went to the cross, He was in control. He was able to silence the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the Lord backed up His Word with miracles, signs, and wonders. God has proved Himself over and over again, so ask Him to do it again.

We must also walk in wisdom. Some of us may be in situations where people are not receiving our witness, and it may not be only because God’s glory is not being manifest. It may be because we have been walking unwisely.

Sometimes we keep casting our pearls before swine. This is unwise, and it does not help. Messiah Yeshua said, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)

If stubbornness and pride have been keeping people from receiving your witness, repent right now. If your own behavior has been in the way of the glory of God being manifest in your relationships, ask the Lord to forgive you, and then know that it is done.

Stand with Jesus, but stand with Him in wisdom. Walk in such a way that the people around you will have to take notice of the supernatural wisdom that is on your life.

Application

• Choose to stand with Jesus, even when obedience creates tension or separation in a relationship.
• Ask the Lord to expose stubbornness, pride, or unwise behavior that may be hindering your witness.

Prayer

Father God, give me courage to stand with Jesus above every human relationship. Cause Your glory to fall in my life and prove Yourself within my sphere of influence. Forgive me for every way stubbornness, pride, or unwise behavior has hindered my witness. Teach me when to speak, when to remain silent, and how to walk in supernatural wisdom. Let the people around me take notice of Your wisdom and presence upon my life. Amen.