41. SILENCING THE NAYSAYERS
(The Faith Forum Series – Batch 3)
Interestingly:
When DAVID was on the run, vulnerable and fleeing for his life which had been threatened by his own son Absalom, he was teased by Shimei…who figured that that was it for David (2 Samuel 16:5-12).
When SAMSON was captured, his eyes blinded by the Philistines, vulnerable and put in prison, he was teased by the Philistine people…who figured that that was it for Samson (Judges 16:21-25).
When JOB had lost his wealth, his family and his health in one day and sat day by day for a very long time, vulnerable and scraping himself with a potsherd, he was teased by his neighbours…who figured that that was it for Job (Job 30:1, 9-10; 17:6; 12:4).
When HANNAH found that she could not have children, was troubled, depressed, grieved in heart and vulnerable, she was teased by her husband’s second wife Peninnah…who figured that that was it for Hannah (1 Samuel 1:1-10).
When JESUS, THE SON OF GOD was taken by the chief priests and elders to be crucified, was falsely accused, mistreated and vulnerable, he was teased by those around him…who figured that that was it for Jesus (Matthew 27:27-31; 39-44).
Needless to say, if you study your Bible further on how things turned out for all of these people, you will find that, despite the pain, the teasing, the vulnerability and the fact that people thought that that was it for these people, GOD DEFEATED THE EXPECTATIONS of those around them and brought some kind of victory out of their situation.
Simply put: HE TURNED IT and the greatest part of it all was that HE (GOD) WAS GLORIFIED!
In short, He silenced the naysayers!
If you are dealing with naysayers, critics, teasers or doubters therefore, keep your eyes on the Lord…
He has been in the business of being God for a very long time and in fact, before time began.
Be assured that the God of heaven and earth who sees all is not dead and NEVER sleeps.
He knows how to defeat expectations. He knows how to silence the naysayers.
(Written on 4th November, 2015)
ADDENDUM: Job 5:8-16 states:
- “I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: Which doeth GREAT things and unsearchable; MARVELLOUS things without number:Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.
- He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope in the noonday as in the night.But he saveth the poor from the sword, FROM THEIR MOUTH, and from the hand of the mighty. So the poor hath hope, and INIQUITY STOPPETH HER MOUTH.”