We may recall some sad events which have taken place over the centuries: The flood which covered the earth with water when the world was still new; the tower of Babel—that memorial of the folly of human invention; the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah because of the immorality prevalent among their inhabitants. We clearly see here the failure of men because of the obstacle of sin.

When God proposed to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage, Moses perceived serious obstacles before him which appeared to be insurmountable. The proud kingdom of Pharaoh strongly opposed the divine plan. The great and terrible desert served as a graveyard to the greatest part of the unbelieving, rebellious majority of that people who were so greatly favored. The obstacles were not vanquished in spite of the miraculous daily leading of divine power. Very near the borders of Canaan the remnant of those who had crossed the Red Sea as in a dry land succumbed to obstacles in the wilderness.

The degrading and abominable idolatry existing among the surrounding nations bewitched the Israelites. It was like a deadly poison from which they were healed only after the seventy years of Babylonian captivity.

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son” (Galatians 4:4). “Even before He took humanity upon Him, He saw the whole length of the path He must travel in order to save that which was lost. Every pang that rent His heart, every insult that was heaped upon His head, every privation that He was called to endure, was open to His view before He laid aside His crown and royal robe, and stepped down from the throne, to clothe His divinity with humanity. The path from the manger to Calvary was all before His eyes. He knew the anguish that would come upon Him. He knew it all, and yet He said, ‘Lo, I come.’ ” 1

“Not without hindrance was the Commander of heaven to win the souls of men to His kingdom. From the time when He was a babe in Bethlehem, He was continually assailed by the evil one. . . . The forces of the confederacy of evil were set upon His track to engage in warfare against Him, and if possible to prevail over Him. . . .

“Satan saw that he must either conquer or be conquered. The issues of the conflict involved too much to be entrusted to his confederate angels. He must personally conduct the warfare. All the energies of apostasy were rallied against the Son of God. Christ was made the mark of every weapon of hell.” 2

As mentioned by Simeon when the baby Jesus was dedicated in the Temple, the Saviour of the world was not to tread a path free of obstacles. Herod tried to exterminate Him from existence by commanding that the innocent children of Bethlehem be killed.

He who did not have a place where to lay His head was dependent upon the kindness of strangers to supply His needs. He trod the winepress alone and traveled the bloody path, always misunderstood even by His own brethren. He was forsaken by many of His disciples, observed and watched by many, persecuted, rejected, and finally condemned to die the most ignominious death. He says to us: “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 15:20; 17:14; 16:33).

“If we hope to wear the crown, we must expect to bear the cross. Our greatest trials will come from those who profess godliness. It was so with the world’s Redeemer; it will be so with His followers. I should doubt whether I were a child of God, if the world, or even all professed Christians, spoke well of me. Those who are in earnest to win the crown of eternal life need not be surprised or disheartened because at every step toward the heavenly Canaan they meet with obstacles and encounter trials. The opposition which Christ received came from His own nation, who would have been greatly blessed had they accepted Him. In like manner the remnant church receive opposition from those who profess to be their brethren.” 3

All the apostles except John sealed their faith with their own blood, suffering martyrdom for Christ’s sake. Paul mentions a few obstacles he met in his ministry: “In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:26–28). In his epistle to the Hebrews he presents a long list of champions of faith, heroes of the cross.

“From the first the church has had such obstacles to meet and ever will have till the close of time.” 4

“Open opposition may be fierce and cruel, but it is fraught with far less peril to God’s cause than is the secret enmity of those who, while professing to serve God, are at heart the servants of Satan. These have it in their power to place every advantage in the hands of those who will use their knowledge to hinder the work of God and injure His servants.” 5

Secular history records examples of great men who conquered and ruled the world, but collapsed before the obstacles they faced or that they themselves created. “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Proverbs 25:28). It has been said that “It is not what we possess or that which is around us that makes us happy, but that which is within us and what we are.” Evidently, circumstances by themselves do not make us happy or unhappy. It is the way we react in the face of these circumstances that determines our feelings. Jesus assured us that the kingdom of heaven is within us. It is up to us to respond, to make a decision, or speak the last word. There either heaven or hell may be found. We are aware that the greatest enemy which should be feared is none other than self. The greatest challenge we face is to conquer it. That which takes place in the family occurs also in the church.

The Israelites camped at the banks of the Jordan River, just about to conquer Canaan, the promised land. But there in that pleasant valley a most cruel evil was awaiting them, worse than the wild beasts of the desert, and worse than the armies of the enemy. By the suggestion of Balaam an enticing idol feast was arranged by the Moabites. It was the traitor from within that overthrew the fortress of principle and betrayed Israel into the power of Satan.

Even if the enemy puts into operation thousands of disguised temptations to barricade the way, the church should nonetheless proceed. There will be no lack of wonderful resources in the hand of Omnipotence for those who continue to love God.

Our precious Saviour, when He was educating and training His disciples to cooperate with Him in the great work of preaching the gospel of His kingdom, found obstacles on every hand. The teachings of the rabbis, their customs and traditions, were piled, like rubbish, above the precious jewels of truth, so that they could not be discerned. The world’s Redeemer rescued these jewels from the covering of error, and re-set them in the framework of truth.

“Often men pray and weep because of the perplexities and obstacles that confront them. But if they will hold the beginning of their confidence steadfast unto the end, God will make their way clear. Success will come as they struggle against apparently insurmountable difficulties and with success will come the greatest joy.” 6

If obstacles are inevitable and we have no other alternative but to face them, why do we not take them as part of daily life? “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Many a man and woman overcame in the battles of life, specifically because the obstructions before them caused them to vigorously respond with double courage. Someone has said: “Our diseases help us in a way that we do not even expect.” Very often this is so. How many would never come to the knowledge of God if they had not found themselves in the valley of humility and pain. The bright and inspired career of Helen Keller became a reality due to her blindness, deafness and inability to speak. Beethoven composed what was perhaps some of his best music after he became deaf. How many beautiful sacred hymns are sung today coming from the authorship of Fanny J. Crosby, who was completely blind. Just like Job of old, she wrote: “And I shall see Him face to face, and tell the story—saved by grace.”

The psalmist declares: “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:67, 71). “Trial is part of the education given in the school of Christ, to purify God’s children from the dross of earthliness. . . . He who reads the hearts of men knows their weaknesses better than they themselves can know them. He sees that some have qualifications which, if rightly directed, could be used in the advancement of His work. In His providence He brings these souls into different positions and varied circumstances, that they may discover the defects that are concealed from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to overcome these defects and to fit themselves for service. Often He permits the fires of affliction to burn, that they may be purified.” 7

“But we must meet all obstacles placed in our way, and overcome them one at a time. If we overcome the first difficulty, we shall be stronger to meet the next, and at every effort will become better able to make advancement.” 8

“It is obstacles that make men strong. It is not helps, but difficulties, conflicts, rebuffs, that make men of moral sinew. Too much ease and avoiding responsibility have made weaklings and dwarfs of those who ought to be responsible men of moral power and strong spiritual muscle.” 9

“Throughout the history of God’s people great mountains of difficulty, apparently insurmountable, have loomed up before those who were trying to carry out the purposes of Heaven. Such obstacles are permitted by the Lord as a test of faith. When we are hedged about on every side, this is the time above all others to trust in God and in the power of His Spirit. . . .

“Often men are tempted to falter before the perplexities and obstacles that confront them. But if they will hold the beginning of their confidence steadfast unto the end, God will make the way clear. Success will come to them as they struggle against difficulties. Before the intrepid spirit and unwavering faith of a Zerubbabel, great mountains of difficulty will become a plain.” 10

“All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the world to come be made plain. The things hard to be understood will then find explanation. The mysteries of grace will unfold before us. Where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken promises, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. We shall know that infinite love ordered the experiences that seemed most trying. As we realize the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 11

Dear brethren and sisters, we are not short of words of comfort and encouragement. “The great lesson . . . taught [at the Red Sea] is for all time. Often the Christian life is beset by dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before and bondage or death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly, ‘Go forward.’ We should obey this command, even though our eyes cannot penetrate the darkness, and we feel the cold waves about our feet. The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey at all. Unbelief whispers, ‘Let us wait till the obstructions are removed, and we can see our way clearly;’ but faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things.” 12

“Many are the hindrances that lie in the path of those who would walk in obedience to the commandments of God. There are strong and subtle influences that bind them to the ways of the world, but the power of the Lord can break these chains. He will remove every obstacle from before the feet of His faithful ones or give them strength and courage to conquer every difficulty, if they earnestly beseech His help. All hindrances will vanish before an earnest desire and persistent effort to do the will of God at any cost to self, even if life itself is sacrificed.” 13

Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. That which is impossible for man it is quite possible for God. The greatest obstacles which confronted the people of God in the past have made it all the more evident that God has always intervened in their behalf, such as in the victory at the Red Sea, in the crossing of Jordan, and in the crumbling of the walls of Jericho.

On Calvary the heel of the Lion of the tribe of Judah was slightly wounded, but the head of the serpent was totally crushed. At the cry, “It is finished!” Christ displayed His eternal banner on the eternal heights. Love triumphed!

When these things will have been over, “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4). “Affliction shall not rise up the second time” (Nahum 1:9). Obstacles? Nevermore, for evermore. May the Lord sustain us in this blessed hope unto the end. Amen.