Obstacles & hindrances
Matthew 16:18
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Psalm 107:15-16 AMPC
Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men! [16] For He has broken the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron apart.
If you've ever read Pilgrim's Progress you will identify with some of the obstacles and hindrances he encountered in his walk with the Lord.
John Bunyan started writing this while he was in Bedford prison, so he knew all about gates of bronze and iron bars! He was imprisoned for holding "non-conformist meetings" against the established state religion. Basically, he was holding out for freedom of worship, like we may have to at some stage.
Indeed, sometimes it seems that satan has planted a minefield along our pathway, together with carefully crafted road blocks! Although he can't stop God's plans, he can defer them - by causing hindrances and obstacles to dishearten and discourage.
What a reassurance to have Jesus' promise that those gates cannot withstand the advance of His church.
As we go forward with Jesus we will, for sure, be confronted, with those gates of bronze and bars of iron.
But Jesus said they will break, sometimes we need the battering ram of concerted, collective prayer, but, most assuredly those gates will break open.
Then it's vital we don't get worn down and discouraged. That's the main ploy the evil one employs!
Just at the point of breakthrough he tries his utmost to get us to give up.
Time to call for "Percy Verance"! He's a good mate to have alongside at such time!!
Revelation 14:12
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
There will be a breakthrough - our God is Lord of the breakthrough!
2 Samuel 5:20 AMPC
And David came to Baal-perazim, and he smote them there, and said, The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like the bursting out of great waters. So he called the name of that place Baal-perazim [Lord of breaking through].
Isaiah 45:2 AMPC
I will go before you and level the mountains [to make the crooked places straight]; I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut asunder the bars of iron.
Praise God
Comments