Nothing test our determination like opposition
Satan is trying to discourage, dissuade, distract, and divide
If we get focused on the persecution or persecutors - renders us ineffective and unproductive
Pharisees ____ Jesus :
Mocked
Questioned him (harshly)
Spied on him
Confronted him
Laid traps for him
Falsely accused him
Threatened him
Joined forces with their opponents to plot against him
Jesus would not be distracted
His purpose was not to avoid pain but to please God - John 4:34
Must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day - Luke 13:32-33
God has not called us to defend or protect ourselves - we are then only working for ourselves and not will be doing nothing for God