Tough Times

Everyone alive today will face tough times. Some have it worse than others, but we all get a turn. Life in this world is often good, but sometimes it’s very hard.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” Romans 8:31-34

How many people do you know who are for you? How many people do you know who oppose you? Certainly, the most powerful being who opposes us is Satan. He hates everything we stand for. He hates that he lost us from his kingdom to the Grace of God. Satan places many people in our lives to stand against and oppose us. They make our life tough. They always seem to be lurking nearby to jump on us when we’re down. People will lie about you. They’ll hurt you. They’ll do everything in their power to make you feel bad about yourself. That’s tough, I know. Sometimes the opposition gets so severe you just want to stop. Enough’s enough. You just can’t go on any more. That’s when you should hear the Words of God: “If God is for us, who can be against us?“

The question is rhetorical. No answer is expected because it’s obvious. If God is for us, it doesn’t matter who is against us. God is the Most Powerful Being in the universe. He is the Great Creator. He is the One Who sustains all life. He is the Almighty God. If He is for us, what does it matter who on this planet or anywhere else is against us? It doesn’t.

God proved His love and concern for us by giving us His Greatest Gift. He did not spare His son, but gave Him up for us – you and me. Since He did that, He will graciously give us all things. The word “graciously” means that God does what He does for us out of a heart of Grace. He does not begrudge giving us good things. He’s not upset that He “has” to do nice things for us. He gave us His One and Only Son because He loves us. He gives us good things now because He wants to. He is our Loving Heavenly Father. He takes care of us. He looks after us. We are His children. We are members of His Son’s Body of Believers. We’re special to Him. We’re family. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

You and I will face many in life who will oppose us. You will probably even come across opposition from people close to you: family, friends, people in your church. No matter who it is, remember God’s words: “If God is for us, who can be against us? … Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

I believe it’s wise to seek God’s insight any time someone opposes you. We often learn important lessons from opposition. But don’t let it defeat you. Learn the lessons and remember that your Heavenly Father has given you His Best. Christ lives in you and you live in Him. He will take care of you. He will stand next to you in the most difficult of times. He will lead you to Victory!

In Christ’s Love and Grace,

Mark McGee

GraceLife Ministries

“Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”