by Pastor Bob Lawrenz
In Psalm 74, Asaph was crying out wondering why Israel had seemingly been abandoned by Jehovah God; in Psalm 75 he was singing thanks unto our God. And today as we study Psalm 76, we find the progress he is making as his heart processes all that has happened, all that God has done, and all that God has yet promised to do.
From worry and doubt, men and women of faith follow this same pattern in processing the emotion of despair. And unless we deal spiritually with the fleshly emotion, it’s easy to respond in a fleshly way. Believers know in heart that God is at the center of every situation of their lives. He is there in blessings, in protection, and in all provision for us. He is even there in the admonishing. When we finally throw our arms up in the air and stop fighting, the Lord blesses us. Victory comes in “the giving up,” as we cease struggling with God.
It is then that we will see a bit through God’s eyes; we’ll see the spiritual battle going on as God fights for us to correct whatever needs to be corrected. Our enemies become His (like they were all along) and God proceeds to victory.
There is something about being a Believer that is both comforting and troubling. Comfort comes in knowing our end, and having a relationship with the living Jesus. But it’s troubling to see Believers trying to fight God’s battles in our strength. Do we not see the futility in using human strength for spiritual battles? What an exercise in frustration!
Spiritual warfare is all around us, and Paul warns us of it in Ephesians 6. With all Satan’s experience though, he still uses the same tactics he used on Eve in the Garden of Eden. As he lied to her; as he twisted God’s word; as he told her half-truths, so also does he begin with us. Be discerning. Compare everything you hear with God’s Word. Nothing says we have to listen to Satan’s lies.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…” Ephesians 6:14a
The truth is always our first and best defense. And Jesus teaches us that He is THE way, THE truth, and THE life. Call upon Him, cling to Him, trust in Him.
