Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10
Journal: Who or what are the most regular enemies of your heart and soul? How do you fight them? How often do you triumph over them?
Reflection: How often do you feel
like your enemies triumph over you?
Sadly, for me it seems like a daily affair. Somehow, in the midst of the chaos and
busyness and happenings of any given day, I lose focus, I let my guard down,
and before I know it I am at the mercy of my enemies—without even recognizing
it. Anxiety, insecurity, and fear have
me by the throat and I find myself reacting to them in the same old,
dysfunctional ways I have always reacted to them. It is amazing how the same scenario repeats
itself over and over and over again.
You’d think that at some point I’d learn.
I think that’s where the
words to this ancient prayer come in.
They help me to be on guard and aware of the things and the
situations—and even the people—that bring out the worst in me; that make me the
worst version of myself. They help me to
call these dark emotions and patterns exactly what they are—enemies. And once I am finally able to recognize that
they are indeed enemies—and name them—I can finally begin fight them in some
fruitful way. For it is almost impossible
to fight an enemy that you have not named, and that you cannot see. They will continue to kick your butt day
after day.
But once they are
identified, and named, they tend to lose some of their power over us. They can be fought, and eventually triumphed
over. For God takes over from
there. He is the one who fights these
battle for us. All we have to do is
constantly lift our souls to him and put our trust in
him. He will fight our battles for
us, once we finally realize that it is indeed a battle we are fighting. He is the only one who can give us the
victory we so deeply long for.
Prayer
Closing
Prayer: O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you,
O God, are my fortress. My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God
will let me look in triumph on my enemies. (Psalm 59:9-10, ESV)
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