For the last several days I've blogged about fighting the dragon. He is a tough opponent. He is tenacious and does not give up or give in. A decision to fight is a decision for life.
For generations people have found solace and courage in the Psalms. On this Sunday, my prayer is that you would find the courage to keep fighting as you read this psalm.
I lie awake in the dark, wrapped in the warmth and
Presence and peace of my one true love.
Slowly she stirs as I begin to prepare
For the day, as light begins to fill the darkened room.
Girded for the day I emerge from the Helm
Ready to face the day and all that it holds.
The enemies called CARE and CONCERN stand
Ready and meet me at the gates, their weapons raised.
They are joined by their comrades WORRY and
ANGST. They whisper and murmur. They shout and quarrel.
They reach out for me and draw me in.
Like heavy wet blankets I am weighted down
By their attacks. Filthy rags of deceit wrap
‘round my head, blocking my vision, covering my ears.
I swim through the thickness of their oily presence.
Blindly I struggle for escape but their
Words continue to find their target in me.
Waves of heaviness now crash on and overwhelm me.
I am undone. My will to fight ebbs.
I float away on the waves of their attack.
But wait. From somewhere deep inside I hear another voice.
Not with my outer ear but a voice from deep inside.
Not a voice of attack but rather a voice of action
Calling me to arms—to rise up from the dust and begin to
fight.
I put my hand to my head and pull
Away and unwrap the filthy rags that
Cover me and cut me off from the Truth.
His Spirit sustains and strengthens me. I find new vigor and
fight on.
The rags fall away as I cling to the light within. In the
Presence of His Truth—their harmful words
Of deceit carry no power. They are empty and fall like dust
at my feet.
The Lord, the Captain of the Hosts has come!
He has delivered me from the constant press of the enemy
Who comes to weigh me down. By the strength and power
Of His mighty voice he has struck down His enemies
And returned me to His place of peace.
His words are Truth and they deliver me.
His way takes me above the fray and away
From the withering weapons and wrath of the wicked beast.
You, O Lord, have delivered me from this mire
And set me in a high place.
Amen.
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