The 5:30 - Space for others - Darren Durham

Devotional

Day 1: God Rescues and Delights in Us

God reaches down to rescue us from overwhelming situations, pulling us out of deep waters and powerful enemies, not because of our strength but because He delights in us. Even when we feel surrounded by disaster or opposition, He is our support, bringing us into a spacious place—a place of freedom, growth, and promise. This is not just a physical expansion but a spiritual one, where God claims territory for us and assures us that we belong. No matter how fierce the opposition, God’s delight in us is the reason for our rescue and our new beginning. [00:35]

Psalm 18:16-19 (ESV)
He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

Reflection: When have you felt overwhelmed by opposition or difficulty? How can you remind yourself today that God delights in you and is bringing you into a spacious place?

Day 2: The Earth Belongs to the Lord

Every place we step into, every area of growth or expansion in our lives, ultimately belongs to God. The enemy may try to claim territory, intimidate, or resist us, but the truth is that the earth and everything in it is the Lord’s. As we step forward into new opportunities, challenges, or dreams, we can do so with confidence, knowing that we are not trespassers but heirs—God has given us authority to occupy and flourish in the places He leads us. [06:51]

Psalm 24:1-2 (ESV)
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel like you don’t belong or are being opposed? How can you claim God’s ownership and authority over that area today?

Day 3: Opposition Is Inevitable, But God Equips Us

Whenever we step into expansion—whether in faith, relationships, or purpose—we will face opposition in the form of intimidation, resistance, and attack. Yet, God does not leave us defenseless. Like the builders in Nehemiah’s day, we are called to build with one hand and defend with the other, equipped with spiritual weapons and the assurance that God is with us. The presence of opposition is not a sign to retreat but a confirmation that we are moving forward into what God has for us. [09:49]

Nehemiah 4:16-18 (ESV)
From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

Reflection: What “tools” and “weapons” do you need to pick up today to keep building what God has called you to, even in the face of opposition?

Day 4: God Gives Us Power, Love, and Self-Discipline

When intimidation and fear try to stop us, God reminds us that He has not given us a spirit of timidity. Instead, He fills us with power, love, and self-discipline, enabling us to stand bold, audacious, and undaunted. The lies and ridicule of the enemy may come, but we can declare with confidence that we are equipped by God’s Spirit to move forward, not shrink back. [11:27]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Reflection: Where do you sense fear or intimidation holding you back? What would it look like to step forward today in God’s power, love, and self-discipline?

Day 5: Responding to Opposition with Prayer and Declaration

When opposition comes, our response is not to shrink back but to pray with fierce determination and to declare who God is. Like Nehemiah, we are called to pray boldly and to remind ourselves and others of God’s greatness, faithfulness, and power. In the thick of resistance, intimidation, or attack, we remember the Lord—who fights for us, who is unchanging, unstoppable, and unshakable. Our declarations of faith shift the atmosphere and remind every enemy who our God is. [19:22]

Nehemiah 4:14 (ESV)
And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Reflection: What bold prayer or declaration can you make today in the face of your current opposition? How can you remind yourself and those around you of who God is?

Sermon Summary

Over the past weeks, we’ve explored the promise of God leading us into a “spacious place”—a place of freedom, growth, and expansion. Psalm 18:16-19 reminds us that God rescues us from overwhelming enemies and brings us into this spacious place because He delights in us. Yet, as we step into new territory, we quickly discover that expansion is not without its challenges. Expansion always brings opposition. Just as my family and I faced resistance from squirrels when trying to restore our home, we too encounter intimidation, resistance, and attack when we move forward in the purposes of God.

Opposition is not a sign that we’re on the wrong path; rather, it’s often confirmation that we’re stepping into the very things God has for us. The enemy does not easily relinquish ground. Like the squirrel in the attic, he resists, intimidates, and attacks, trying to convince us that the new territory is not ours. But Scripture is clear: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1-2). The spacious place belongs to God, and by His authority, it belongs to us as well.

Looking at Nehemiah’s story, we see that as the people rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls, they faced ridicule, threats, and attacks. Yet, they pressed on—working with one hand and holding a weapon in the other. Their response to opposition was not to shrink back, but to pray, to declare God’s greatness, and to remain fiercely determined. When intimidation comes, we remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). When resistance tires us, we lean into God’s promise of rest and allow endurance to shape our character (Romans 5:3-4, Matthew 11:28-29). When attack comes, we remember that God Himself fights for us.

In the face of opposition, we are called to three things: to pray with boldness, to declare who God is over our circumstances, and to stand with fierce determination. We do not accept defeat or retreat in fear. Instead, we rise up, knowing who our God is—unchanging, unstoppable, unshakable. The spacious place is ours, not because opposition is absent, but because God is present and victorious.

Key Takeaways

1. Expansion always brings opposition, but this is not a sign of failure or abandonment by God. Rather, it is a natural part of stepping into new territory and fulfilling God’s promises. The enemy resists because he knows the significance of what God is doing in and through us. [01:21]
2. Intimidation, resistance, and attack are the enemy’s primary tactics to keep us from advancing. Intimidation seeks to instill fear and doubt, resistance tries to wear us down, and attack comes against us in various forms. Recognizing these tactics allows us to respond with spiritual authority rather than retreat. [05:41]
3. God’s Word equips us to overcome intimidation with truth. When the enemy whispers that we are not enough, we stand on the promise that God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. Our identity and authority in Christ enable us to move forward with courage, even when fear tries to paralyze us. [11:27]
4. Resistance, though exhausting, is used by God to build endurance, character, and hope within us. The trials we face in pursuit of God’s purposes are not wasted; they are the very means by which God strengthens and matures us. In our weariness, we are invited to find rest in Christ, who carries our burdens. [13:16]
5. Our response to opposition must be prayer, declaration, and fierce determination. Like Nehemiah’s builders, we pray audacious prayers, declare God’s greatness over our circumstances, and refuse to accept defeat. Knowing who our God is gives us the confidence to persist, no matter how fierce the opposition. [17:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - The Promise of the Spacious Place
[01:21] - Expansion Equals Opposition
[02:55] - The Squirrel Story: A Parable of Resistance
[04:40] - Facing Intimidation and Resistance
[05:41] - The Enemy’s Tactics in New Territory
[06:51] - The Earth is the Lord’s: Claiming Our Place
[08:44] - Lessons from Nehemiah: Building Amidst Opposition
[09:49] - Intimidation, Resistance, and Attack Defined
[11:27] - Overcoming Intimidation with God’s Spirit
[13:16] - Endurance Through Resistance
[14:15] - Experiencing and Responding to Attack
[15:53] - God Will Fight for Us
[17:09] - Three Responses: Pray, Declare, Determine
[19:10] - Remembering Who God Is
[20:10] - Declaring God’s Greatness
[21:12] - The Unchanging, Unstoppable God
[22:25] - Living with Fierce Determination

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 18:16-19 (ESV) — > He sent from on high, he took me;
> he drew me out of many waters.
> He rescued me from my strong enemy
> and from those who hated me,
> for they were too mighty for me.
> They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
> but the Lord was my support.
> He brought me out into a broad place;
> he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) — > For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Nehemiah 4:14, 20 (ESV) — > And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
> ...
> In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.

Observation Questions

In Psalm 18:16-19, what actions does God take on behalf of the psalmist, and what is the reason given for God’s rescue?
According to 2 Timothy 1:7, what kind of spirit has God given us, and what does this mean for how we face fear?
In Nehemiah 4, what were the people of Israel doing with one hand and with the other as they rebuilt the wall? What does this show about their response to opposition? [09:49]
The sermon described three main tactics of the enemy when we step into new territory. What are they? [06:15]

Interpretation Questions

The psalmist says God brought him into a “spacious place” because He delighted in him. What does it mean for God to delight in us, and how might that change the way we see our challenges?
The sermon says, “Expansion always brings opposition, but this is not a sign of failure or abandonment by God.” Why might opposition actually be a sign that we are moving in the right direction? [01:21]
Nehemiah’s people worked with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. What does this image teach us about balancing building and defending in our own lives? [09:49]
The sermon mentions that intimidation, resistance, and attack are the enemy’s main tactics. How can recognizing these tactics help us respond differently when we face them? [06:15]

Application Questions

The sermon shared a story about facing squirrels in the attic as a picture of opposition. Can you think of a “squirrel” in your own life—something that’s resisting your growth or expansion? How have you responded so far? [03:39]
When have you felt intimidated, resisted, or attacked as you tried to step into something new God was calling you to? How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? [06:15]
2 Timothy 1:7 says God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. Which of these do you find hardest to walk in when you face opposition, and why? [11:27]
The sermon encourages us to pray bold, audacious prayers in the face of opposition. What is one area of your life where you need to pray more boldly? What would a bold prayer look like for you this week? [17:09]
Nehemiah told the people to “remember the Lord, who is great and awesome.” When you face resistance, what practical steps can you take to remind yourself of who God is? [19:10]
The sermon says that resistance can build endurance, character, and hope. Can you share a time when a difficult season actually made you stronger in your faith? [13:16]
The final call was to stand with fierce determination and not accept defeat. What would it look like for you to stand with fierce determination in your current season? Is there an area where you’ve been tempted to give up? [22:25]

Sermon Clips

The enemy wants to tie you out, wear you down. He wants to limit you and hold you. But in Romans 5, verse 3-4, it says that we can, we can rejoice too. When we run into problems and trials. For we know that they help us develop endurance, and endurance develops strength of character, and character develops our confident hope of salvation. So when we face this resistance, you know what? It's just strengthening us. It's just making you stronger. It's just equipping you. It's just giving you grit. It's just making you bolder and stronger. [00:13:01] (36 seconds) #TrialsBuildStrengthAndHope

Opposition equals expansion, but sparks a fierce determination. Because when we're opposed in our expansion, there's a moment in our heart and our thinking that I believe, that we just go, hold on a minute, I'm not accepting this. Where we just think, you know what, I'm not having this. I'm doing what God has asked me to do. I'm stepping into and living in that spacious place, and I feel the opposition, and the opposition is real, and the intimidation feels heavy, and the resistance feels heavy, and the attack feels real. But hey, opposition sparks a fierce determination. [00:16:14] (47 seconds) #OppositionIgnitesDetermination

When we're opposed, we've got to pray. When you're opposed, when you're opposed in your life, in expanding, in stepping into the spacious place, you've got to do what Nehemiah said. You've not got to step back and think, oh no, woe is me. You've got to step forward and say, you know what, I'm determined to pray. I am, and I will be determined to pray. To be a people who pray. Bold, audacious, powerful prayers. Not necessarily weak, and oh God, look at me, but bold, powerful, audacious prayers for our city, for our families, for our children, and for our future. [00:17:17] (34 seconds) #DeterminedToPrayBoldly

In our opposition, we need to remember who God is. In our intimidation, we need to remember who God is. In, in the resistance, we need to remember who God is. In the attack, we need to remember who our God is. [00:19:24] (16 seconds) #RememberGodInEveryBattle

I'm declaring that, that he is power without limit, glory without measure, majesty without rival, that he is Jehovah the great I am, the one who provides, heals, protects and brings peace. That he is the creator eternal or powerful or knowing, ever present. He is holy, righteous, merciful and faithful. He is commander of the heavens armies, architect of the universe, defender of the weak and deliverer of the lost. [00:20:15] (30 seconds) #GodIsLimitlessAndFaithful

He is the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. He is not one among many, he is the one and only, the king of kings, the lord of lords, the name above all other names. He was, he is, and he will always be, God almighty, unchanging, unstoppable, unshakable. He is our God. That's who he is. [00:21:07] (25 seconds) #DeclareGodLoudlyInOpposition

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does opposition signify in spiritual expansion?

How can believers respond to resistance and attack?

What biblical promises support stepping into a spacious place?