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.
— 1 Peter 4:12 

I once read a true story about a man who for years had known God was calling him into the ministry but was reluctant to obey because he had a very secure job. Finally, he decided to trust God and go into full-time ministry, but before he announced his decision, the company offered him a big promotion. Why? The enemy was trying to stop him from advancing in God’s plan.

Beloved one, when we’re following God, we will face resistance. The battle we’re in is not primarily against flesh and blood; it’s supernatural. If we do not grasp this, the enemy will thwart us in our pursuit of God. We must anticipate spiritual opposition so we won’t be caught off guard when it comes. 

When you trust God to surrender to Him in a deeper way and are advancing in His call on your life, expect to be opposed. Don’t be astonished or dismayed when you come under enemy fire. Consider Messiah Jesus. Immediately after He was baptized in the Jordan River and anointed by the Holy Spirit, the devil entered the picture and tried to take Him off course.

You and I will be resisted by the powers of darkness, so let’s remember what Messiah said: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Rabbi Kirt A. Schneider, Entering His Presence (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2023), Used by permission.