And the Lord said to Satan, "The Lord rebukes you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebukes you! Is not this (man) a burning stick plucked out of the fire (of affliction)?
(Zechariah 3: 2)
Life in this world has its afflictions or troubles.
In his classic book, "Developing the Leader the in you", John Maxwell pointed out that the only trouble the ship has is the water. Because it offers resistance to the ship. But without the water too the ship is useless, not matter its capacity, state of the art equipment and horse power! So Job was right when he said man is born for troubles (John 14: 1). But the good news is that God knows what to do with our afflictions and troubles.
One way is that He works to deliver us out. He saw the afflictions of Israel in Egypt and promised Moses to bring them out. "I will bring you out of the afflictions of Egypt (Exo 3: 17). So David said, many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34: 19). This is good news. You and I will come out of that affliction, no matter how long it takes. That is the promise of God.
The other way is He uses afflictions and troubles to refine us, to shape and mould us, to sharpen and strengthen us, to become a burning sticks capable of serving Him (Isaiah 48: 10). The truth is, when we have been refined and burning for the Lord that we become dangerous and a threat to Satan. He would move all hell to oppose us, accuse us and stand against us.
The high priest, Joshua, after returning from afflictions of exile, and now an old man, yet burning with zeal to do the will of God in Jerusalem, had to face with the devil. But the Lord, knowing that Joshua was a burning stick, set ablaze by afflictions in exile, and now eager to accomplish the will of God, stood for him and rebuked Satan and helped Joshua out of his sins. The Lord chose Joshua because He has chosen Jerusalem.
Therefore He would rebuke any thing that stands against Joshua and Jerusalem.
Are you also going through afflictions? Then just return and submit to the Lord (Amos 4: 11) and let those afflictions shape and mould you, and the Lord will bring you out as a burning stick for His glory. And because He has chosen Christ, and you are in Christ, He will rebuke all your evil opposers, adversaries and enemies for Christ sake. (Gen 31: 42)
So as you go through the year and live life, don't fear the afflictions you face, they are necessary for your shaping and promotion. They pave the way for the Lord to come through to you.
May the Lord remember you in all your afflictions as He remembered Israel in Egypt, Jacob in Laban's house and Joshua in Jerusalem and may He rebuke all your adversaries who are afflicting you with those troubles in Jesus name. Amen
Shalom, life and grace to you
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