Mar 31, 2022
There is a text in the original Hebrew that has blessed me greatly, and I want to share it with you. “When designing pursuers approached me, who are far from thy law; then you, O Jehovah, wast near with all thy faithful commandments” (Psalm 119:150-151, Helen Spurrell Translation).
Demonic principalities and powers had surrounded King David, trying to bring him and Israel to ruin and destruction. This man of God testified that as the enemy drew near, he trusted the Lord to draw even nearer. David said that God held him by his right hand, walking him through every enemy assault.
Here in David’s testimony is a wonderful promise for you and me. We can be sure Satan is out to destroy, harass and pull down all who love the Lord. The enemy will do all within his power to bring us into a pit of despair, confusion, guilt and condemnation.
Do you have any satanic “designing pursuers” coming against you right now? Overwhelming temptations? Trials? Financial burdens? Marriage or family problems? Business problems? When your pursuers come near you with a design to destroy you, take heart! The Lord God Almighty is even nearer. He is at your side; and if he is near you, he will act on your behalf. I cannot imagine God being near any child of his and yet sitting by allowing the devil to abuse or corrupt his beloved in any way.
“Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let those also who hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. Sing to God, sing praises to his name; extol him who rides on the clouds, by his name Yah, and rejoice before him” (Psalm 68:1-4, NKJV).
See what God has promised to do for you, if you will trust him. You can claim these four verses for now and throughout the year. Memorize these verses, stand on them and God will put your enemies to chase.
Mar 30, 2022
In the book of Jude, we read of a future day so wicked and vile that God will come with thousands of his saints to execute judgment for all ungodly deeds. Jude prophesied men would be given over to their filthy lusts, becoming mockers, sensual, “foaming up their own shame” (Jude 1:13, NKJV). These would comprise a society of corrupt fornicators going after “strange flesh,” referring to pandemic homosexuality.
Today, America is not the only nation casting aside all moral restraint. The moral landslide is worldwide, and it is becoming very evident that Satan is retching the abominations of hell upon humankind. It is a time that we are warned in scripture, when the devil will try to seduce God’s elect.
Jude looked ahead into those awful, wicked times and saw something else, something most inspiring and miraculous. In the midst of all the immorality and mounting degradation, he witnessed a people “who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1).
No matter how corrupt this world becomes in the days ahead — no matter how devilish the media, TV and movies become, no matter how much devil worship increases, no matter how far homosexuals force their agenda on society, no matter if the devil himself walks our streets — God is going to preserve his children. He is going to preserve for himself a sanctified, holy people. He will keep them from the wicked one, and they will become strong in faith and devotion, while the ungodly race toward destruction.
Hear the word of the Lord. “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
David said, “For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake his saints” (Psalm 37:28) and “You shall keep them, O Lord, you shall preserve them from this generation forever. The wicked prowl on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men” (Psalm 12:7-8).
Let this prayer of the apostle Paul be yours and mine in the evil, troubled times ahead: “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18). Rejoice! God has covenanted to keep and preserve those who fully trust him.
Mar 25, 2022
I have been meditating for the past few days on Psalms 142 and 143. I was interested in what King David was going through when he said, “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then you knew my path. In the way in which I walk they have secretly set a snare for me. Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul” (Psalm 142:3-4, NKJV).
David actually cried to the Lord, “Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low… Bring my soul out of prison” (Psalm 142:6-7).
Beloved, these words are written for our sake and our instruction. Here is encouragement for all of God’s people who are overwhelmed by troubles and afflictions. Often I have been accused of being too gloomy and negative. People say that nobody wants to hear bad news, that they turn off any preacher who talks about pain, suffering and troubles.
The truth is that most of us live in a world where life can be absolutely overwhelming at times. Like David, we face a flood of troubles; we are afflicted even in our righteousness. We endure sickness, death of loved ones, times of confusion and not knowing what to do next. We face hellish attacks of Satan against our faith.
It is in our overwhelming times we learn to seek God and learn to cry out in our pain. David said, “I pour out my complaint before him; I declare before him my trouble” (Psalm 142:2) and “In your faithfulness answer me” (Psalm 143:1).
Even now, are you overwhelmed by circumstances in your life? Echo David’s prayer to God! “Cause me to hear your lovingkindness in the morning, for in you do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; in you I take shelter. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake! For your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble” (Psalm 143:8-11).
Be encouraged. God has everything under control. He will meet your need right on time.
Mar 24, 2022
The reason I am writing this is to remind you that the battle you are facing is not yours but God’s. If you are a child of his, you can be certain that Satan will “rage against you.”
In 2 Chronicles, a great multitude came against God’s people. King Jehoshaphat and his people set their hearts to fast and seek the Lord. The king cried out to God a prayer that most of us have prayed at times in our spiritual journey. “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (2 Chronicles 20:12, NKJV). The Spirit of God came down then, and one man spoke to the whole congregation, saying, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).
Isaiah gave a similar warning to all the forces coming against God’s people. “Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice, and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 37:23).
God said to Satan, “But I know your dwelling place, your going out and your coming in, and your rage against me”(Isaiah 37:28). God told his people Israel, and he tells us today, “The battle is not against you. It is Satan’s rage against me who abides in you.”
You can end your battle quickly by giving up and giving in to your fears and doubts. Satan will not bother those who give up their confidence in the Lord. Yes, the battle is the Lord’s, but we have a part to play. Faith demands that I turn over all my problems – all my critical situations, all my fears, all my anxieties – into the hand of the Lord. When I have done all I can do and I know my battle is beyond my power, I must submit all into God’s hands.
Our Lord knows the raging of Satan, and we must truly believe he will act. He will bring us through floods and fires and put to chase all spiritual enemies. If you will hold fast to your faith, expect God to come by his Spirit into your situation and bring an end to your battle. The way out is to trust!
Mar 23, 2022
A Christian woman approached me recently with a rather emotional expression and asked me if I had heard the latest news reports about the various upheavals in the news with all that’s happening around the world. “Can you believe what is happening?” she asked. “Every day is a bad-news day. With certain nations having nuclear capacity. Terrorists could take over, and some mad Ayatollah could launch us into nuclear war.” Shaking her head, she said, “I am really scared. Things are spinning out of control.”
Right now, people are fearful all over the world. We are seeing the fulfillment of Jesus’ warning, that a day would come when men’s hearts fail for fear as they witness the things coming on the earth.
Now let me give you a clear word from God’s heart, a word of encouragement. In spite of all the frightening news, God still has everything under control.
Here is the Word we believers must stand upon as the storm rages around us, words given to us by Jesus. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27, NKJV). These are troubling times, but in such times the Word of God becomes our strength and hope.
“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know your name will put their trust in you; for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:9-10).
“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle he shall hide me; he shall set me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5).
I believe the most fearful, troubling days are still ahead. I see nothing but growing despair for those who are not daily in God’s Word and praying and talking to the Lord. It is his Word that lifts our spirits and produces faith. Discipline yourself now to open your Bible in the morning and start your day by getting encouraged with his precious promises. Talk to the Lord, even as you prepare for the day. Ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen your faith and hope.
