April 25, 2023

When you are at your “wits end,” and nothing seems to be going right and so much seems to be going wrong… where do you turn for refuge? In some Bibles, referencing Psalms Chapter 3, there is a chapter heading reading, “Victory in the face of defeat.” It is said that David wrote this Psalm when he fled from his son Absalom when he was attempting to usurp the kingdom from him.

Before verse 3 [in the heading], there are verses 1 & 2…

“Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. 2 Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’ Selah” ps 3:1-2 nkjv

The troubles of life for David were many. However, he had great faith in the faithfulness of Yahweh [GOD], he never forgot who looked after him; thus he declares:

“I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.” ps 3:4-6 nkjv

Do the stresses and troubles of life rob you of peace, rest and sleep? There is a good chance that you [we] may be trying to take on problems that are above our performance level… so to speak. Sometimes there are things that we cannot engage to any benefit, and possibly we may stir up more demons that we can “cast out.” It seems to me that our focus needs to be upon understanding our Bible’s instructions concerning our “faith walk,” and Yahweh’s provision and ways of working with us. Some problems may be “God sent,” and trying to solve them causes us to miss the purpose Yahweh is using them for… do you think this is possible?

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.” Ps 119:67 nkjv

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.” ps 119:71 nkjv

“I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.” ps 119:75 nkjv

I comment on these things because we need to discern “which” conflict we are in… Sometimes we are simply under the temptation or attack of the evil one, and he has many methods to disrupt our peace and trust in Yahweh’s provisions for us. In those circumstances we need to be like David and, “cry out to the LORD with our voice… believing that HE will hear us from His holy hill.” And, it is during such attacks that we must choose, as David says, “to lay down and sleep, knowing Yahweh will sustain us.” On the other hand, if we are honest and hear the Holy Spirit caution us that our affliction is pointing to a needed correction in our course, then our peace will only come from doing things Yahweh’s way…

Now, here is a wise recommendation from the brother of Yeshua, James:

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ja 1:2-4 nkjv

The subject of patience in trials and hardships is not to be misunderstood; although I am far from having it worked out in my life. However, in Yeshua’s Olivet Discourse, in Luke 21, [namely verses 10-19] He gives clear and stern instruction to those of us who will be living in that hour. He tells of many afflictions and attacks upon believers just because of his “namesake.” The persecution and adversity He speaks of, He calls an “occasion” for testifying of Him… then in verse 19 He says, “By your patience possess [ye] your souls.”

I sometimes think certain experiences in life [good and difficult] have a purpose. It would seem it is how we “walk through them,” that defines our soul’s character and condition. I think the enemy of our soul can use both good and difficult experiences to trick us from “patience,” so we can possess our souls. Otherwise, the enemy will capture our focus and not necessarily defeat us, but cause much discomfort that robs us from Yahweh’s plan, which He says is this:

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,Because he trusts in You.” is 26:3 nkjv

By the way, Yeshua also said, in His Olivet Discourse, concerning the persecution of the faithful…

“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost.” lk 21:17-18 nkjv Faithfulness, to Him has great reward; Amazing, I think.

Shalom, John