When the battle is on... (Psalm 23)

Well, folks, welcome to the Wordlift Blog. I'm excited to get back to writing. It has been a difficult season to say the least. I thank each of you for your prayers, your cards, visits, emails and kind words throughout this past year. Losing loved ones is never easy, but I am comforted beyond measure to know that my parents are rejoicing in heaven.

I visited the Wordlift website (which has been greatly neglected…sorry!) to see where we left off in our journey through the Psalms. As it turns out, we made it through twenty-two. I think I got hung up on that 23^rd Psalm because I didn't want to think about that "valley of the shadow of death" part in verse 4. Two quick things on that and then we'll settle on another verse of Psalm 23.

First, I'm so glad that we go through the valley and not just to the valley; we don't remain there, but we pass through. Sometimes just knowing the dark days are temporary gives us the courage we need to endure. Second, and most important, God is with us in those times of trouble and pain. We all have our share of trials, and hopefully you have a testimony of God's grace just as I do. Now, on toward today's devotional –

Psalm 23

This walk of faith is rarely easy. There are times when you feel like just hanging it up, times when you are confused and God's voice seems silent, times when you are wounded by the very ones you pour your life out for. Is this life rewarding? Is it worth it? Absolutely. Some days the favor of the Lord is so overwhelming we're busting at the seams. But other times we are assailed on every side by all kinds of evil. It seems the Lord is far away. What is He doing while the enemy of our soul surrounds us sounding the battle cry?

I have to admit, when life turns upside down my mind kicks into high gear. I start trying to figure out the enemy's tactics and God's purposes. Why did this happen? I'll come up with some reasons. Is somebody bringing strife? Who is behind it, why did they say what they said, and what is their motivation? Yeah, I'll try to discern all that so I can stay a step ahead, or maybe I'll confront them and nip it in the bud. I'll make a phone call and find out what someone else knows about the situation. Or maybe I'll just curl up in a ball and cry, dreading what's coming my way. I'll investigate the problem, probe the issue, cower at the fear, stew over the options, or crumble in anxiety at the possibilities of what might happen. Man, I'm tired. I'm struggling to get through. And where is the Lord? What is He doing?

He's preparing a table.

I'm running around trying to work it out.

Jesus is calling me to come and sit.

I'm focused on the problem or the person.

My Father calls me to commune. "Heather, the meal is ready. Come to the table."

In the presence of my enemies, am I too focused on the battle that I miss the table spread before me? To the flesh, this doesn't make sense. In the flesh, we want to attack the problem or run from it. God calls us to do something else: Take our eyes off the enemy, off the problem, and come to the table. This is where we win the battle - in the presence of the Lord. In prayer, in worship, in intimate communion with the Lord who loves us.

Is the enemy clamoring at your doorstep today, threatening loss, destruction or doom? Come to the table. Taste and see that the Lord is good.

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