Rock

“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him? Man is like a breath; His days are like a passing shadow.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭144:1-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Rock

I am sure that someone out there needs to read this. I know I do. Each of us has adversaries, people or situations that are at odds with us, drawing us into battle. I am in constant battle with the withering of my body, as I find new pains daily, and face novel humiliations, testing my will and my patience. Mine is a relentless adversary.

The prayer list the Lord has enabled me to serve, is chock full of people who have trouble, people facing the most extreme battles. There are days when I am overwhelmed with empathy, as I have experienced much of what people I am praying for are going through. I think of my Lord Jesus, who experienced a multitude of temptations and troubles, yet endured, remaining sinless. Even though He had foreknowledge, He relentlessly intercedes on our behalf at the right hand of the Father.

As I read through Psalm 144, my Lord brought the strength I have in Him to my mind, offering great refreshment to me. He has not abandoned me to my suffering without resource, for He has trained my hands for war. I go to war with with the armor of God in full effect, able to face whatever comes.

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”
Ephesians 6:13-18 NKJV

Through Christ, I am empowered.

God has also given me time, through my disability. On the surface one might think that the withering of my body would be the coming on of weakness, but in each passing moment of entropy, God has released His power, which is not confined to my will. I am being pushed out of the way, that the power of God be revealed. I am resting on the Rock.

“Bow down Your heavens, O Lord, and come down; Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. Flash forth lightning and scatter them; Shoot out Your arrows and destroy them. Stretch out Your hand from above; Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, From the hand of foreigners, Whose mouth speaks lying words, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. I will sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You,”
Psalms 144:5-9 NKJV

The battle belongs to the Lord.

Brothers and sisters, know this: God is in the battle, going before you. He is Jehovah Nissi, the Lord your banner, representing you before the enemy. He is always on high alert and does not sleep. In the midst of trouble, it is easy to be caught up on the situation you face, taking your eyes off of the Lord. But God is good at regaining our attention.

God is like a doting Father, gently holding our cheeks and looking into our eyes, in the midst of the trial. In His eyes I have assurance as I know that I have His attention, and I will not be forgotten.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”
Psalms 32:8 NKJV

“Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,”
Psalms 17:8 NKJV

In your tumult and trouble, know that the Lord loves you. You are not alone. He has also given you a biological and spiritual family, filled with others who have called upon the name of the Lord, who pray for you, cry with you, and are with you in the midst of trouble.

My people, the victory is already won!

If your battle is with people, know that they have already been defeated, as God is faithful to do as He said He would. Pray for them that they come to repentance. Even though it may seem as if those who have wronged you are being blessed, raised high, remember that an egg is obliterated when it is dropped from a great height.

Remember that those who are adversaries are often the very people we are to approach with the Gospel. Let us remember hat they are missiles of flesh and blood being aimed at us in the hopes that we will destroy them, thus befouling our testimony.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

If you are dealing with an illness, remember that God will carry you through it, and His healing can take place own this side of eternity, or the other. There is no downside. I know that my healing will come when I step into the presence of my Lord, a moment I long more for with each passing day.

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.””
Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV

Let us go boldly and tell the world our Rock. Many people are experiencing great struggle these days, but do not have the answers to the eternal questions found only in a relationship with Christ. They need Jesus.

THE PRAYER CHAIR IS OPEN! Send me your requests!

https://www.allaboutgod.com/the-roman-road.htm