Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.” Psalm 35:3
There are times in life when it seems the enemy of our soul has us completely surrounded. During those times everything we do seems to be a struggle.
Have we lost faith in Christ? No.
Do we believe all his promises? Yes.
But in the deep recesses of our souls that doesn’t seem to be enough. The battle for peace of heart rages between the emotion of our current reality and what we know to be fact. The trust, confidence and faith we talk confidently about becomes a cover-up for the despair, worry and heartache deep inside.
A friend of mine is going to bring his daughter to treatment this weekend. Drugs and alcohol have taken her captive. He and his wife have ‘done everything right’ in bringing her up in the church. They’ve prayed with her and for her. But she took a different route. In the mean time his parent’s health is failing and he is battling a life-threatening disease.
The prayer of David rings true. We pray that he will fight our battles, that he will brandish spear and javelin against the enemies that war against our souls and take those we love captive.
We plead with him to block the path of those who pursue us: guilt, worry, fear, bitterness, anger, fatigue (and the list goes on).
Yet in those times when it seems our very heart will be ripped from our chests, we long most of all to hear his voice reminding us, “I am your salvation.”
“I am your Salvation.” Let those words seep into the cracks of your soul. Let them linger for awhile. The battle isn’t yours. Salvation (yours or anyone else’s) isn’t your responsibility. The Great Warrior, the King of Kings, the Lord of all creation will see you to ultimate victory.
Will there be battles? Yes. Will there be dark nights in which the cold is relentless and his presence seems impossible to find? Unfortunately, yes. But during those times, if we take time to listen, if we seek him in the darkness, he speaks to the most intimate, inner corners of our hearts, “I am your salvation.”
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, during those times when I feel most alone and weakest. During those times when the battle seems too great and I feel alone, defeated and unable to see your light. Let me hear the gentle whisper of your promise that you are my salvation. Amen.
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October 27, 2012 at 7:56 am
Rosie Cochran
“I am your Salvation.” Great post and great words. Next to that, I also love, “Be still and know that I am God.” I think God put those verses in for all us type A personalities. Whatever the storm, even if there’s nothing we can do in ourselves to fix the storm, it’s okay. We can just be still and know that He is God and our salvation.
October 27, 2012 at 8:02 am
Mike Fisk
Agreed! It’s so hard to be quiet when there is so much to do! 🙂 He wants us to do just the opposite of what our being tells us. “When the going get’s tough, stop and listen to me” isn’t what we want to hear. Thanks for your encouragement Rosie. Blessings on you and your family.
October 27, 2012 at 10:42 am
Martha Orlando
He is, indeed, our salvation . . . We need to remember to run to Him in good times and in bad. Beautiful reflection as always, Mike!
October 27, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Mike Fisk
Thanks Martha. “Say to me, I am your salvation.” jumped off the page as I read this Psalm this morning. The best reminder of our salvation comes from the one who provides it! Blessings. ~ Mike
October 27, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Jeff
The Bible tells us that we are in a war and that we must put on the armor of God everyday. The devil loves to attack us, especially if we don’t expect it.
October 27, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Mike Fisk
Exactly Jeff, and it’s during those times of attack that hearing his reminder that salvation comes from him is sweetest. Thanks for commenting and stopping by. May God bless you powerfully. Mike