(When God is up to something really good in our lives and in the lives of others around us, things get a little riled up in the spiritual world. I am less and less surprised now when I sense spiritual battle going on almost immediately after God has done something miraculous, as with what I shared last week. Seemingly out of nowhere, but precisely from the very gates of Hell itself, come the whisperings of self doubt and distant shame. Thoughts that, if Satan were to have his way, would paralyze us from moving forward in what God is so clearly doing. If you know what I’m talking about in your own life, I hope this helps to remind you of what’s going on and that you’ll join arms with me as we go into “battle” together. Jesus has already won for us…)
Still the voice that in me cries
Mute the sound of taunting lies
Silence doubt, quiet my “why’s”
And Jesus, speak to me.
Drown the fear that claws at me
Strangle sin and its debris
Suffocate anxiety
And Jesus, fight for me.
Remove distractions from my view
Blind my eyes to things not true
Turn my vision all on You
And Jesus, meet with me.
The world, my past, they play a game
They mock and call and curse my name
Pointing fingers, placing blame
So Jesus, run to me.
Take me to that pasture green
Those waters still, that quiet stream
That place where You and I can dream
And Jesus, walk with me.
Take me to that sacred hill
Show me the cross that beckons still
The empty grave, Your finished will
Oh Jesus, remind me.
Sin is conquered, shame is done
Death has lost, Life has won
All things new in You, the Son
Oh Jesus, dance with me!
And now the sound that fills my ears
Is music in the place of tears
Your calming voice instead of jeers
Oh Jesus, sing with me!
John 5:24 – “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.”
Psalm 103: 1-18 (Thanks Debbie A. for the reminder of these verses today!)
1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
