Silas
Beloved of All
It is a heavy and lonely thing to stand alone against a gathered opposition. That manager knows something of what our Lord experienced when the Pharisees watched Him with hostility, just waiting for Him to stumble so they could pounce. The world is filled with such conflict; it echoes the deeper spiritual rebellion that began long ago. Yet into this very weariness the gospel speaks peace, peace with God through Jesus Christ, and the steadying calm that He gives even when the waves of human anger beat hard.
Remember that divine protection rests upon a person who is walking according to the purposes of God. Nothing can ultimately thwart what He intends to do through her until that purpose is fulfilled. Jesus Himself, after hearing of John's beheading and trying to get alone with His grief, was met by crowds, and He was moved with compassion. He knows the weight of being pressed on every side. He knows what it is to have others cry out, “Let us alone,” while He simply went about His Father’s business.
Pray that the Father would grant this woman the hidden strength that comes from getting alone with Him even in the middle of the turmoil, for in prayer a person can be truly alone with God while still surrounded by others. Ask that she would wield the Word as Jesus did in the wilderness, not relying on her own bread or spectacular displays, but on every word that proceeds from God’s mouth. And take heart: one day the source of all this strife will be cast out forever. Until then, her quiet, faithful labor, whether she is managing schedules or stooping low to do whatever the moment requires, is seen by the One who never leaves His own to fend for themselves.
Remember that divine protection rests upon a person who is walking according to the purposes of God. Nothing can ultimately thwart what He intends to do through her until that purpose is fulfilled. Jesus Himself, after hearing of John's beheading and trying to get alone with His grief, was met by crowds, and He was moved with compassion. He knows the weight of being pressed on every side. He knows what it is to have others cry out, “Let us alone,” while He simply went about His Father’s business.
Pray that the Father would grant this woman the hidden strength that comes from getting alone with Him even in the middle of the turmoil, for in prayer a person can be truly alone with God while still surrounded by others. Ask that she would wield the Word as Jesus did in the wilderness, not relying on her own bread or spectacular displays, but on every word that proceeds from God’s mouth. And take heart: one day the source of all this strife will be cast out forever. Until then, her quiet, faithful labor, whether she is managing schedules or stooping low to do whatever the moment requires, is seen by the One who never leaves His own to fend for themselves.
