Unlawful Rest III – Protection during Divine Assignment
- Admin
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
February 27, 2025
" Then his hand, which he stretched out toward him, withered, so that he could not pull it back to himself.”
- 1 Kings 13:4b (NKJV)
While we diligently pursue God’s assignment for our lives, we will inevitably face opposition. As Christians, we are continually confronted with opposition. As Revelations12:17 reminds us. Such opposition seeks to frustrate or hinder the execution of our assignment, preventing us from entering in to rest.
It is unwise and unprofitable to succumb to opposition by giving up on our assignment or taking rest before completing the task. No opposition is easy but regardless of its intensity, we must remain fully assured of God’s protection as we carry out our divine tasks. We are reminded in Jeremiah 1:19. They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you," says the Lord, "to deliver you."
This assurance is vital as we deal with opposition in its various forms.
God’s protection serves as evidence that we are on divine assignment. As the opposition arises, God acts to counter it, shielding us and ensuring the success of our mission. In 1Kings13, God sent a young prophet from Judah on an assignment in Bethel. During the execution of his task, he faced opposition from King Jeroboam who threatened him with arrest. The Bible records in verse 4 that when Jeroboam stretched out his hand against the Prophet, his hand withered and he could not draw it back to himself.
For God is with us.
Similarly, in exodus 14, the Egyptians who opposed God’s plan to free the Israelites from slavery witnessed His divine protection. In verse 25, they exclaimed “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians”.
With God’s protection, opposition is momentary and cannot endure. Isaiah 8:10 assures us: “Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; Speak the word, but it will not stand, For God is with us.”
Psalm 125:2-3 provides a vivid image of His protection:
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time forth and forever. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous.”
God’s protection is not only enduring but also empowering. It extends beyond shielding us from harm to enabling us to exercise dominion over opposition. As Psalm 110:2 declares: “The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
As long as we faithfully follow God’s instructions while executing the assignments He has given us, no opposition can Prevail against us. His protection strengthens us to press on with courage, faith and perseverance. By relying on His assurance, we can resist the temptation to rest unlawfully, until the assignment is fully completed.
Song of Worship
Jehovah is Your name x2
Mighty Warrior, great in battle
Jehovah is Your name
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank You for the divine assignment You have given me. Thank you for the protection that comes with it In Jesus’ name. Amen.
