Friday, October 27, 2017

When You Feel Like You're Under Attack

Someone I love is under attack by an enemy. I hate using that label, but when your actions place another person in a harmful position just to improve your own position, I don't know what else to call it. This "enemy" may be acting unintentionally out of ignorance and stupidity or it may be a very misguided attempt to cover his their shortcomings. I don't know. It really doesn't matter. Because when you are the person on the receiving end of mistreatment, when people are spewing lies about you, whether they ignorantly believe them or not, it hurts. If you are in that position this morning, I would like to pass on two things. First, ground yourself in the truth of who you are and what you have done and never back down from the truth. You are not causing problems if you stick to the truth -- you are exposing them. Second, I would encourage you to pray the following psalm and turn your enemy over to God. I'll let the psalm itself close out today's devo.

Psalm 59

God Our Stronghold
For the choir director:“Do Not Destroy.” A Davidic Miktam. When Saul sent agents to watch the house and kill him.
Deliver me from my enemies, my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me.
Deliver me from those who practice sin,
and save me from men of bloodshed.
Lord, look! They set an ambush for me.
Powerful men attack me,
but not because of any sin or rebellion of mine.
For no fault of mine,
they run and take up a position.
Awake to help me, and take notice.
Lord God of Hosts, You are the God of Israel,
rise up to punish all the nations;
do not show grace to any wicked traitors. Selah
They return at evening, snarling like dogs
and prowling around the city.
Look, they spew from their mouths —
sharp words from their lips.
“For who,” they say, “will hear?”
But You laugh at them, Lord;
You ridicule all the nations.
I will keep watch for You, my strength,
because God is my stronghold.
My faithful God will come to meet me;
God will let me look down on my adversaries.
Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget.
By Your power, make them homeless wanderers
and bring them down,
Lord, our shield.
For the sin of their mouths and the words of their lips,
let them be caught in their pride.
They utter curses and lies.
Consume them in rage;
consume them until they are gone.
Then people will know throughout the earth
that God rules over Jacob. Selah
And they return at evening, snarling like dogs
and prowling around the city.
They scavenge for food;
they growl if they are not satisfied.
But I will sing of Your strength
and will joyfully proclaim
Your faithful love in the morning.
For You have been a stronghold for me,
a refuge in my day of trouble.
To You, my strength, I sing praises,
because God is my stronghold —
my faithful God.
(HCSB)

Assisting Apollos With Open-Heart Surgery

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