There are two passages assigned for today!

SCRIPTURE: Ezra 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work. They bribed agents to work against them and to frustrate their plans. This went on during the entire reign of King Cyrus of Persia and lasted until King Darius of Persia took the throne. [Ezra 4:4-5]
Opposition, frustration, discouragement… these are the work of the “enemies” of God, those who are opposed to what God is doing in the world.
Any person who undertakes to do something for God will quickly find that they too will face such enemies.
Doubters, nay-sayers, people who focus on the problems, people who criticize your efforts, setbacks, miscalculations, betrayal of people you trusted, personal doubts or discouragement, distractions from other areas of life.
To discourage and frighten… to keep us from our work.
Going right to the top to get the king to put a stop to the work.

There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance. So the demons begged, “If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.” “All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone. [Matthew 8:30-34]
At first this Jesus story may not seem to connect, but for me the connection is the fact that the demons will do anything to hinder the work of God.
It seems to me that the demons’ request to enter the pigs is not about “demons needing bodies”, but about scare tactics that lead the townspeople to reject Jesus.
This calamity for the villagers (did the pigs represent the livelihood for many of the villagers?) becomes so overwhelming to them that they cannot focus on Jesus and the miracle of the man set free.
In this case, the Enemy that stands behind all enemies uses the pigs and the people to hinder the work of Jesus in that area.

Satan is the Opposer behind all opposition: But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” [Matthew 16:22-23]Yes, even good people, people that mean well, can be used by the Enemy to oppose the work of God.
Behind the people in the land that were trying to derail the temple project was Satan, the Enemy of God’s purpose.
Behind the pigs and the people that chased Jesus away was Satan, ever looking for ways to undermine His work.
Behind the well-intentioned comments of Peter was Satan, disguising his deception in good sounding words.
I take from this two thoughts: (1) the Enemy is at work trying to oppose God’s work in/around me, and (2) the Enemy can even use me to hinder the work of God in/around me.

As I give leadership here at Crossroads, or work with Leadership Development Network, I am constantly feeling the pressure of doubt, discouragement and well-intentioned negativity that brings me down, slows me down, wears me down.
And it is not just others doing it to me, I am also a part of it, talking myself down into discouragement.
It is definitely warfare, and it is definitely hard.
Daily I need to build myself in God, to build myself up in what it true, to shape my mind with the message of God in the bible, to lay my plans and purposes before Him.
Daily I need to arm myself with the Spirit of God, and with His armour.
It is foolish for me to think that I will not face opposition, frustration, discouragement.
It is wise for me to keep focusing on Jesus, Who endured all manner of opposition and overcame it!
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. [Hebrews 12:1-3]

PRAYER:
Lord, I am presently experiencing opposition, especially within my own spirit. Help me to keep looking up!