Under Attack - Martin Wiles

My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls. Psalm 22:12 NLT

Tradition says the running of the bulls began in northeastern Spain during the fourteenth century. Why anyone would want to run down a crowded street with angry bulls chasing them is beyond me. The thought of being trampled or gored isn’t appealing. Even though it happens, people still do it. I’ve also watched wolves, wild dogs, and coyotes attack their prey. With teeth bared and mouths salivating, they circle, blindside, and eventually pounce on their victims.

Whether he actually was or not, the psalmist felt surrounded by enemies. His words were prophetic of how Jesus would later feel when His enemies eventually called for His death. In many countries, Christians are under attack. The attack may involve jail time, beatings, or even death. Or the attack may arrive in more subtle ways.

When under attack for our faith, it is common for us to overreact. We can spew hateful words against those who attack us or promote ungodly lifestyles. We can act as if we’re better than them and walk around with our religious noses in the air. Or we might withdraw like a hermit and refuse to associate with anyone but our own kind. But there are better responses.

Praying for strength to endure is crucial. God never promises to take persecution away. In fact, He tells us we will be persecuted—after all, Jesus was. He will, however, give us strength to endure. Searching for God’s will in how to react to the attacks is also important. However we choose to respond, it should be with love.

We can be confident when we’re under attack. I’ve read the end of the Book—good wins over evil. Believers triumph. Knowing that is not an excuse for a haughty attitude, but knowing it does help us respond to faith attacks with a different outlook.

Being attacked for our faith also gives us a reason to praise God. Faith attacks are a witness for Him. If others are not opposing us in some way, perhaps we’re not as verbal about our faith as we should be.

Determine ahead of time how you will respond when attacked for your faith.

Father, give me the strength to stand when I come under attack for my faith. 

Tweetable: Where do you turn when under attack? 

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