I'll Stand By You

a devotional by Justin Camacho

Have you ever been in a situation where the Lord was calling you outside of your comfort zone, and when you obey the call, there’s backlash from the people who should be supporting you? On the flip side, has someone else’s obedience ever disrupted your spiritual routine, causing bitterness in your heart as they attempt to break open the box you’ve created for God? 

If you answer yes to the first question, then you know how discouraging it is to have those around you waiting for you to fail. We’re suppose to expect oppression from the world, but from our Christian family? It’s heartbreaking. 

But you probably answer yes to the second question as well. I definitely do. There’s plenty of people in the body who approach things in a different way than I would. And I contribute to the murmuring and complaining even though I know what it’s like to be on the other side. I don’t want to be that person. 

In 1 Corinthians 16:10, Paul instructs the congregation to welcome his young pupil Timothy, so that “he may be with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord as I also do.” No doubt, Timothy had a different personality and teaching style from Paul or any of the other leaders at Corinth. Naturally, Paul knew the Corinthians would resist what they weren’t used to. So he reminds them that at the end of the day, Timothy serves the same God. And if he serves the same God, then his work is for the benefit of the Kingdom. And if it’s for the benefit of the Kingdom, it’s for the benefit of you. 

So let’s be friends who support one another, as obedience to any call from God, whether we like it or not, is praiseworthy.