But the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them. (Ex. 1:7)
In the mailbox of our new home, I found a hornet’s nest. Or maybe it is more accurately stated that it found me. While getting the mail one day, I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen and immediately recognized I had been stung. Knowing that our family would be using the mailbox daily, I immediately got some insect repellant and began to spray. OK, I sprayed a lot. As the hornets began to leave the mailbox in a daze and fly away I figured my work was done. Until one day I looked again and what was one comb had turned into two. What was five or six hornets had doubled. What I thought would deter or destroy them somehow caused them to multiply.
With all they were facing, the Israelites didn’t die; they chose to multiply. I believe the same can be said of us as we encounter life’s challenges and a real enemy called Satan. It is so easy to give up, give in, or simply go away, but what if some challenges are there to cause us to stay, dig in, get better, and ultimately grow.
Those hornets were determined to be ready when I returned and they brought some friends with them. How well do we prepare for opposition and bring prayer warriors with us? Some conflict can help us grow.
Choose to grow through your next challenge.
Santes Beatty is director of multiethnic ministries for The Wesleyan Church.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
