Read Psalm 70- Eph. 6:10-20
Spending time in the psalms this fall has been so life changing. I have spent much time in the psalms in the past and still every time I do I come away so enlightened by His Word. I learn something new each time. I love that about His word, it never gets old or boring. It is life giving.
How about you? Can we really pray against those who taunt us and make our lives miserable? Yes, we can! This psalm is short but powerful.
During these past months we have learned about David’s struggles, anxieties and fears. He was honest with God and told Him like it was. Many of them start out with where are you God, he felt alone and rejected. Yet in those same psalms he praised His Savior. He did not take his focus off God but kept it on Him. He knew who his Savior was. We have an enemy always scheming against us. Some days can be more exhausting than others. I like what Matthew Henry says “urgent trials should always awake fervent prayers.” The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16b
This psalm starts out with him crying out to the Lord to deliver him and do it quickly! He ran to the One he knew could help and deliver him. He also prayed against those who sought his life to destroy it. He encourages us who seek Him to rejoice and be glad. We are to continually say the Lord is Great! Once again at the end he cries out to God to not delay in helping him.
Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of buckler and shield
And rise up for my help.
3 Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me;
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
4 Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life;
Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me.
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind,
With the angel of the LORD driving them on.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
With the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 For without cause they hid their net for me;
Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.
8 Let destruction come upon him unawares,
And let the net which he hid catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall. Psalms 35:1-8
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“The LORD be magnified!” Psalms 40:16
2 O my God, in You I trust,
Do not let me be ashamed;
Do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed;
Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.
4 Make me know Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. Psalms 25:1-5
We have a full armor that we can put on everyday of our lives. We do not fight against flesh and blood. Eph. 6:10-17
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 1 Timothy 6:12-13
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5
Are you being honest with God?
Are you putting on His armor each day?
Are you taking your thoughts captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ?
Are you praising Him?
Praise the Lord on your bed at night, praise him when you wake up in the morning, praise him as you prepare breakfast, praise him on your way to work or school, praise him when you gather with other believers. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise”! –Heb. 13:15 [Jim Cymbala}
Lord, I thank You that You have given us everything we need to stand strong against the enemy of our soul. It is You “who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” and I submit myself to You as Your servant. Help me to always understand who my enemy is and be able to clearly recognize his hand in everything. I know You do not ever bring confusion on us, but You can confuse the enemy (I Cor. 14:32). Whenever he tries to cause confusion in my life, I pray You will cause confusion in his camp when I pray. I know the enemy is no match for You. You are a God who hears and answers. All things in our lives work together for good because we love You and are called according to Your purpose. Thank You for Your armor that we can be equipped with everyday to withstand the schemes of the devil and resist him in the evil day. You are a very present help in time of need. We can boldly and confidently come before Your throne of grace to receive mercy and grace for help in our time of need. We rejoice in You Lord! We praise Your Holy name! You are the Holy One of Israel! Almighty God!
We writer's will be taking a break and will be back Jan. 16th 2023. May your time during this season of the remembrance of the birth of Christ bring you into a closer relationship with Him.
Lyn