Sometimes, especially when sick, I begin to think thoughts that are far from my usual patterns of thought. Thoughts like, why am I still here? I don’t see any fruit from my words, teaching, or actions. Maybe I’m just taking. up space and only think I’m of importance in the grand scheme of life. These thoughts can really make me moody and sad. Sometimes they even keep me from reading God’s Word. And that’s dangerous. That is when my enemy hits me with thrust after thrust of his deceit and counsel which I do not want to follow. If I listen to him and accept what he says, then the next step is doubting what God says, which is his whole arsenal of flaming arrows against me. Finally, once doubts come in and if I let them stay in my mind, soon all I feel is despair. There are times I have been drowning in despair which will ultimately lead to destruction in my life and relationships. Have you ever been there? It really is a dark and lonely place.

David had many times when he was in that dark place but he learned the antidote for his despair. He knew God listened to his prayers, therefore, he learned to cry out to God for help. And God was always there to rescue David from the despair of his circumstances. Over my many years on earth, I have also learned that God is my help when I am surrounded on every side by enemies of deceit, doubt and despair.

As I was reading Psalm 17, I saw a flash of light in my Spirit! This is a Psalm of David entitled: A Prayer. He is obviously being threatened by his enemies and is standing on his trust in God to strengthen and rescue him.

“I have called upon You, for You have answered me, O God; Incline your ear to me, hear my speech. Wonderfully show your lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who despoil me, My deadly enemies who surround me. They have closed their unfeeling heart.” (Psalm 17: 6-10).

Like David, I have many times been in deep troubles and had to call on the Lord to sustain me and be my refuge. He never failed to bring me through those times and set my feet upon a Rock (Jesus Christ) for a firm foundation. My enemies, satan and his demons, surrounds me daily, but the Lord God is my salvation and He always is victorious over the enemy. Jesus won the final victory on the cross, burial, and resurrection. His victory becomes ours when we place our trust in Him and let Him work in our lives as He desires. With His Words on our lips and in our hearts and minds, we defeat the Destroyer of lives and his minions of deceit, doubt, despair and destruction. We can rejoice in the lovingkindness of the Lord our God and Jesus Christ, our Savior forever. Hallelujah!