This morning my heart was still heavy as I came to the Lord in prayer.

It’s the age old attack of condemnation, that I am not good enough to preach the gospel and share but I am reminded today that ALL THE MORE, I must.

I am fallible and my kids are not perfect.
I have struggles and my daily battles and there are days where I get attacked and fight for my life and my children’s lives – but I need to keep fighting the fight of faith.

As I asked the Holy Spirit for help, Psalms 56 just dropped in my heart and as I opened it to read out loud, I cried to the Lord praying it like David’s words were mine – coming out of my heart.

And as I teared and prayed, peace returned to my heart and I was in the refuge of the shadow of God’s wings again.

From Psalms 55, 56 and 57 – the words that resonated from my heart:

Listen to my prayer O God, do not ignore my plea
my thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
because of what my enemy is saying.
My heart is in anguish within me
if an enemy were insulting me
I could endure it.
if a foe were rising against me,
I could hide.

But it is you, a man like myself,
my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
at the house of God as we walked about
among the worshippers.

As for me I call to God and the Lord saves me.
Evening Morning and noon
I cry out in distress
and he hears my voice.
He rescues me unharmed
from the battle waged against me
even though many oppose me.
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you
he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalm 56
when I am afraid I put my trust in you
In God, whose word I praise –
In God I trust and am not afraid
What can mere mortals do to me>
All day long they twist my words
all their schemes are for my ruin
they conspire they lurk they watch my steps
hoping to take my life.

Psalm 57
Have mercy on me, my God
have mercy on me for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
I cry out to God Most High to God who vindicates me.
He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me –
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

Years ago I used to get very scared reading Psalms because it always talked about “enemies” and destroying them. When I saw them as people I felt uncomfortable and could not relate but one season I had a revelation that these enemies today are spiritual enemies as in Ephesians where Paul says that “OUR FIGHT IS NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD” but against an unseen world – might powers in the DARK world, against EVIL SPIRITS in the heavenly places. Since then when I read Psalms I always pray it like David would against these real unseen ENEMIES that try to “steal kill and destroy” .

I am reminded that from a young age, our children are also under attack.

When we remove these unseen “enemies” from the equation of our lives, things don’t add up. We will not be able to understand WHY because it will not make sense. We will attribute attacks as issues that we try to solve with medication or human therapy but we could be hoodwinked.

The enemy’s game plan is always the same just like in Psalms 55 – the deepest wounds and attacks will come in the form of a companion or a close friend. In the form of someone that means something to you so that it would hurt the most.

If it came from an enemy, we would not care but if it comes in the form of one whose opinion of us matters to us, he uses those people to intimidate you into caring what they think more than what God will think.

His goal is to cower you into people pleasing your friends/people whose opinion you value, rather than God.

BUT, our fight is not against even our “close friends” but the real enemy behind that is whispering lies into both sides of the story, twisting each other’s words in the minds of one another, distorting truth and helping to serve each other fear, distrust and worst opinions and no benefits of doubt.

WOW, Jesus wants to give us a RICH and SATISFYING LIFE !!!! Selah.

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.
My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
https://www.bible.com/bible/116/JHN.10.10.NLT

‘Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT AT ALL TIMES and ON EVERY OCCASSION.

Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. ‘

Ephesians 6:11-18
https://my.bible.com/bible/116/EPH.6.11-18