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The Futility of Their Ambush

Henry Omotayo

Proverbs 1:16-18

Message No. 0748 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca


It is no secret that many people don’t like Christians, so there can be no surprise that some people hate you. However, there are varying degrees of hatred. There are some who just don’t like you, but there are others who don’t want to see you at all. Imagine then, if you work in the same office, or live in the same neighborhood, or there’s an activity that brings you together. And why should your life be a hell just because some people don’t like you? Why should you live in fear or sadness for no offence of yours? Why is the sky not big enough for every bird to fly freely?


In the last days of Paul, it became very apparent that some Jews hated him so much that they wanted him dead. Appearing before the Jewish council in Acts 23, Paul began his defense by saying he had lived in all good conscience before God until this day, and that was offensive enough for Ananias, the high priest, to command that those who stood beside him should strike him on the mount. Why so much hatred! Paul fought back, with wisdom, and caused a division between the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees, prompting the military commander to ask that he be removed from among them, for his safety.


Paul escaped the anger of this crowd, but some forty Jews were not happy still, so they met and took a binding oath to neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. They planned to lay ambush for him, while sending a deceptive message to the commander to release Paul to come back to face the council the next day. But God had a different plan. He already let Paul know that his mission was not finished yet, so the evil plan became known by Paul’s nephew, who ran to the barracks to inform the commander of the ambush of the Jews. This caused an expensive 470 military men to be put together to take Paul away to Caesarea at night.


In 2025, do not think that those who hated you in past years have repented. Some never do but rest assured that they lie in wait for nothing. In Proverbs chapter 1 verses 16 – 18, the Bible says:


For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. Surely, in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird; But they lie in wait for their own blood.


At times, God’s children are confused as to what their faults are, for people to seek their hurt. Well, you don’t have to be at fault, and you don’t even have to have sinned against God. Did not Jesus warn us that the world would hate us, and at some point, people would kill Christians and think that they are doing service to God (John 16:1-4)? Look at what David wrote at a troubling time when Saul marshalled the whole military might of Israel to have him killed for no fault of his. In Psalm 59:1-4, David wrote:


Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Defend me from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity and save me from bloodthirsty men. For look, they lie in wait for my life; The mighty gather against me, not for my transgression nor for my sin, O LORD. They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine. Awake to help me and behold!


Just as the enemies of Paul were disappointed, the enemies of David were defeated. God is not about to let the enemies touch His anointed (Psalm 105:15). God’s defense for you is iron-clad. There is no penetrating His army whom He has deployed to shield you from all arrows of the wicked. Remember that those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1). So, what should be your attitude when you seem to be surrounded by enemies? Go about your daily life knowing that God is not about to trade you in for anything on earth or in heaven. You are too loved to be left in harm’s way.


PLEASE ACT NOW:

If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:

Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!

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