Spiritual Warfare
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. 3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
Psalm 71:1-3
The psalmist remembers the Lord as his rock, refuge, and fortress, knowing that in the Lord, he will never experience shame. In his time of trouble, the psalmist calls upon the Lord to rescue and deliver him. The Lord is the giver of life, sustaining us even from birth in our mother’s womb. We have confidence in the Lord—enough to fill our mouths with praise and declare His greatness all day long. The psalmist pleads with the Lord to never leave him, for he knows that if God’s hand is no longer upon him, his enemies will seize the moment to attack.
One of my favorite recent movies is 1917, directed by Sam Mendes. It follows a soldier assigned a harrowing mission during the First World War: delivering a message that could potentially save 1,600 soldiers from walking into a deadly German trap. To complete his mission, the soldier must cross miles of enemy territory, overcome numerous obstacles, navigate treacherous landscapes, and endure extreme emotional strain. One particularly memorable scene is the final one, where the soldier runs across “No Man’s Land” between the Allied and German trenches to deliver the message. It’s an incredibly inspiring scene in the film to watch.
Today we are in spiritual warfare. Each week, I encounter a member of our church going through difficulties or trials. Adversity comes in many shapes and sizes and is a normal part of the Christian life. The question is not whether we will face challenges, but how we will respond to them. Many have responded to adversity by quitting, but there are also many who have remained faithful despite the hardships.
We must remember that the Lord is the giver of life. While people find motivation in many ways, our motivation is rooted in the assurance we have in Him. In God, we find refuge, for He is our rock and fortress. We must call upon Him to deliver us from our trials and help us overcome our enemies. Only through our dependence on the Lord can we emerge victorious in accomplishing the objectives set before us in this Christian life. Let us call, let us plead, let us ask the Lord to never leave us, to rescue us, and to deliver us.
Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways. 3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.
Proverbs 14:2-3
When we fear the Lord, we will walk uprightly and in righteousness. Those with pride in their hearts will lash out with their mouth but those that are humble and wise will keep quiet. Knowledge comes to the wise and discerning quickly as compared to the mocker who will never find it. It is through wisdom that one will discern with great thought about their decisions whereas fools will deceive themselves. Only simple fools do not give thought to their ways. Those that are quick-tempered and simple will be quick to commit foolish actions whereas the prudent will be crowned with great knowledge. When we fear the Lord, we will find a secure fortress and our children will have refuge. It is the fountain of life when we fear and revere the Lord.
