Strength from on High
David declared that God would arise and scatter his enemies. Did you know that when you serve God, that anyone who makes you an enemy, has made God an enemy? David said that those who hate God would flee before him. Some people who hate you, actually hate the God in you. ““Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account” (Matthew 5:11). Jesus’s encouragement is to rejoice, because they have long persecuted the prophets of old. People hated prophets because they were God’s messengers.
You may not be a prophet, but you carry the mark of Jesus Christ. You can anticipate being hated by the devil and his agents. Who are the agents of the devil? Anyone who is not fully surrendered and submitted to God, who allow themselves to be used by him. Remember that even saints can be used by the devil and not everyone who professes Christ are actually his children. “As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God” (Psalm 68:2)! God has a reward for the wicked. They are driven away like grass, stubble or smoke.
“But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy” (Psalm 68:3)! God also has a reward for his children and the outcome is the opposite of what the wicked receive. The righteous will be glad and rejoice when God causes us to triumph. Challenges are hard and persecution does not feel good, but God is our strength. He is our present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). Our strength will not fail us and we declare that we are strong because God is with us. We don’t operate in our own strength, but the strength of the Lord of host.
“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah” (Psalm 46:11). Have you ever had an older brother, sister, cousin or friend step in to defend you in a fight? God also steps in to defend his children and he gives strength to the weak. “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). Remember to wait in the presence of the Lord, so that your strength can be renewed like eagles.
A.P.-Y.
Published by Anneta Pinto-Young
I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession.
Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm.
I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing.
I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.
View all posts by Anneta Pinto-Young
Published
April 1, 2022
