Hem Me In
Today is a new day. As I woke up tired from an active weekend I quickly realized that the enemy saw that as an opportunity to attack. From the moment I sat up in bed he was taunting me with negative thoughts and he continued as I took Roscoe on our morning walk.
Along the way a few stray dogs decided to surprise us and what I hoped would be a quiet morning quickly turned into a heart racing section of the walking trail. Angry thoughts joined the previous negative thoughts I was entertaining and it started to escalate into a bad attitude.
As I saw the beautiful sunrise I thought of how God had planned so much better for me today. I wanted what He had for me, yet I found myself in battle with the enemy over every thought I had.
Reminders of this past weeks lessons came to mind and I remembered how David fell into sin, it began with his thoughts. He allowed himself to dwell on things that he shouldn’t have and it led to speaking out his desires and then acting upon them.
I don’t want that. I’ve done that too many times. Allowing my mind to simmer on thoughts that only fuel a wrong attitude and lead to anger, frustrations and regret.
So I did the only thing I could do, I prayed. I spoke His word to the situation because He said that if I resist the devil he will flee. That’s what I wanted; an end to the attack I was experiencing.
This mornings battle was not easily won. The enemy was not going to give up easily but each time I called out to God or spoke His word, my sword of the spirit hit its mark and finally the enemy was defeated.
Then God gave me another gift. Besides standing with me in battle and encouraging me He wanted me to know that He has hemmed me in – behind and before me. (Psalm 139:5)
That was the first verse I read when I returned home and began my bible study. Isn’t that amazing! The verse continues with the writer asking, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
After reading the verse I thought of all the places that I have enjoyed my quiet time with God. By the ocean, in the mountains, at a casino, on my deck and in my living room just to name a few.
He is always present! In every single one of those places he has hemmed me in and surrounded me, I just needed to remember that He is always there encouraging, strengthening and fighting the battle with and for me.
The verse begins with, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”
It ends with a prayer to God to do just that, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
No matter what the enemy throws our way or how many dogs he sends, we can be assured of God’s loving presence that hems us in – behind and before.
My Prayer
Father, thank you for Your words of encouragement to me. The peace in knowing that Your love surrounds me. That You know every detail, every thought and every word I think or speak. Guard my heart Lord. Help me to take my anxious thoughts captive and keep me from acting on them. Your word is light in the darkness and Your words are true. The enemy will flee when I resist Him and draw near to You. Thank you Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
James 4:7-8
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Psalm 139