Despite reams of biblical and historical precedent, we are still caught by surprise when our life becomes more difficult after we have obeyed what God told us.
The day after Gideon obeyed God’s word, his life’s circumstances seemed to become the worst they had ever been. People had never wanted to KILL him before! He had never been the subject argued about among angry mobs before! If God had really wanted Gideon to tear down an idolatrous idol, why had He allowed his life to be endangered as a result?
There may be times when you will ask the same question as Gideon. You may have tried to do what you sensed God was commanding. Only instead of people appreciating your effort to do good, enemies arose who began to angrily oppose you. Instead of life becoming better, it grew palpably worse.
Don’t be surprised if when you obey what God said, people rise up to oppose you. The forces of evil did that to Jesus, and they have done that to Jesus’ followers ever since. Just because people are opposing your efforts does not necessarily mean you are out of God’s will! It may indicate God has moved you directly into enemy territory.