I have been going through a Beth Moore study, “Stepping Up: a journey through the Psalms of Ascent“. It’s really been shaping my prayer life right now and challenging my views on how God has intervened in my life.
Today, I began the study on Psalm 124 – it is fascinating me in new ways. I have never seen myself as one who has faced strong persecution/trials/attack. (I may be opening a can of worms for myself, having said that – pray for my protection.) I know that a battle wages around me and has the potential of being damaging – I’ve just never felt it to be severe.
Today, I realized that severity of attack depends on the person and situation. For me the attacks of my past have been a lack of faith – faith to step into God’s calling without releasing control to Him. This has limited my perspective on just what God can and will do so that I can see Him show up and experience the joy of obedience. Other attacks have been a lack of confidence in “my story” and ability to use it in the life of others. This has limited my perspective on God’s heart that breaks for those far from Him. It has also limited that boldness with which I have reached out to those far from Him.
I’ve always feared “spiritual” attack – I’ve feared as the Psalmist remarks being “swallowed alive, engulfed, and ripped apart.” But, I’ve never looked at it from the deliverance side “we have escaped, He didn’t abandon us, we’ve flown free, their grip is broken.” Psalm 124:8 reminds me that “God’s strong name is our help, the same God who made heaven and earth.” God does not overlook the attacks on His children, in fact He takes them very personally. Check out Zechariah 2:8!
