I’ve put together a special arrangement of an old hymn that is very special to a friend of mine, Phyllis B. She was desperately ill with COVID-19. One morning while in the hospital the words of this song came into her mind. As she sang the chorus she felt the waves of the Holy Spirit sweeping over her in her room.
I’m so thankful for the work of God that speaks to us in the hard days and fills us with His presence. We are rejoicing that Phyllis is back home and recovering! Our love and prayers to you, Phyllis!
This beautiful hymn was written by Garfield T. Haywood (1880-1931).
Attacks, slander, and hatred are part of the fabric of our nation. What is the solution when the battle is raging? What do we do when we are personally attacked? Scriptures tell us God will fight for us if we seek Him through prayer, singing praise, believing His Word, and listening for the Holy Spirit’s voice.
Scripture says any attack or battle we face is not only with another person. We are fighting something more.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
The Old Testament story from 2 Chronicles 20 gives powerful testimony to the fact that God fought for His people, and He will fight for His people today.
SOME BACKGROUND HISTORY
Jehoshaphat erred in his alliances with the evil King Ahab through marriage and in fighting against the Aramaens whom God sent to destroy Ahab. God rebuked Jehoshaphat through Jehu, the prophet: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?”
God rebuked the King, but he also noticed good in him. The prophet encouraged the King, “There is some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles (idols) and have set your heart on seeking God” (2 Chronicles 19:3).
Following the Lord’s rebuke, Jehoshaphat realized he could not have one foot in the wicked ways of Ahab and the culture, and one foot in serving God. If we are expecting God’s blessings and provision, we must make sure we are standing with people who fight for God and His values. “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?”
Jehoshaphat showed true repentance. He set out to turn the people back to serving Jehovah. He radically reformed the judiciary in every fortified city of Judah. “Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery” (2 Chronicles 19:7).
He appointed Levites, priests, and heads of Israel families to “serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord, and warn them not to sin against the Lord” 2 Chronicles 19:10).
Jehoshaphat stepped us his leadership to get his people under God’s rule and laws.
After this, King Jehoshaphat faced a significant attack from vast enemy armies. But with his committed heart for God leading the nation to honor God, he knew what to do. No longer helping the wicked who hate the Lord (wicked King Ahab), the King gathered the people from every town in Judah to seek God’s help in this attack. Without it, only defeat! All the men of Judah, their wives and little ones stood before the Lord in prayer. Here’s the full text (2 Chronicles 20).
PRAY FIRST
The King prayed:
“O Lord God, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all might so that no one is able to withstand You?
Are you not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants?
We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
The Spirit of the Lord spoke through a Levite minister, Jahaziel: Do not be afraid nor discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
I love those words! Our battles are God’s, too, when we lean on Him and trust His Word.
At a recent prayer meeting, we were seeking God’s help for a difficult situation. A brother in prayer felt the Spirit speak these similar words to us, “Don’t be afraid. The battle is the Lord’s, and He never loses” (Thank you, Bill R). Now that’s a faith builder!
In the Old Testament story, the Lord continued to speak:
“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'”
The next morning they set out and began to sing and praise, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever,” and the Lord set ambushes against the men who were invading Judah, and they were defeated and destroyed. No survivors in the enemy’s camp. None!
GOD NEVER LOSES! Our part is to pray, praise, believe the Word, and listen to the Spirit! As we do, we can be confident the same God who fought the batlles in Scripture will fight for us!
SING PRAISE TO THE LORD
When the people sang and praised the Lord, the Lord took care of the enemy. I can’t be angry when I sing. Fear leaves. Peace builds. Singing praise brings my attention to God’s power and greatness. My eyes focus on the power of God rather than the giant in front of me.
In God’s presence, there is fullness of joy. Singing praise fills my thoughts and lifts my attention upward. Faith builds. I believe what God says in His Word!
You may be familiar with these songs: “I’m going to see a victory, for the battle belongs to the Lord.” Or, “I raise a hallelujah in the presence of my enemies.”
When we sing and praise the Lord, He promises to fights for us.
BELIEVE GOD’S WORD
When I sing, pray, and fill my thinking with Scripture, it’s easier to focus on Gods able deliverance. The same principles in the stories of Scripture are true. When God bolds a scripture, I underline it, put in my journal, post it on the refrigerator, and say it out loud. I keep reminding myself of God’s promises.
God’s Word builds my faith! The more I hear it, the more I believe it! When I feed my faith, it grows. When I starve my fear, it dies.
The prayer of Bill (I mentioned above) is posted on the refrigerator, so I see it often through the day (“Don’t be afraid. The battle is the Lord’s, and He never loses”) and because it’s Scripture, my faith is encouraged. I can believe in God’s Word. He’s the same today as He was yesterday. What He did for his people in Bible times, He will do for us who believe.
LISTEN FOR THE GENTLE VOICE OF THE SPIRIT
God speaks through others, but God also speaks to us individually when we are facing trouble.
The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahazial: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
We were seeking God’s direction if we should fly to attend our grandson’s wedding at the end of April during the COVID. The restrictions and fear of contracting the virus weighed into our discussion. Should we go or stay at home? Will we be safe?
The day before the deadline for flying, the Lord bolded this verse of Scripture, “I will walk about in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments” (Psalm 119:45). I knew God spoke through His Word and the gentle voice of the Spirit. We could go to the wedding. We could walk in freedom on this trip, and not be afraid.
We made the trip without issue and had a wonderful time. God kept His Word!
A more recent experience of the Holy Spirit’s voice came through in a unique way. I’m learning new software for recording music and have called several times for technical support. Often, the tech wasn’t able to immediately fix the problem. This time, I was amazed at how quickly and easily he solved it. It was an easy fix! That’s when the Holy Spirit spoke clearly to me about the impossible battle we were facing and said, “It’s an easy fix for Me!”
I knew God’s presence and peace. God is fighting our battle!
Satan, our adversary, goes to great lengths to deceive, discourage, and destroy faith. He is not only a super-thief but the Father of Lies, an accuser, a slanderer, a murderer from the beginning. He masquerades as an angel of light. He tries to scare us like a roaring lion ready to pounce and devour. However, standing firm with prayer, singing praise, and listening to the Spirit’s voice through the Word, the evil one has to flee. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world!
When God speaks, peace comes as I listen.
BONUS – BLESSINGS AND PEACE
Not only did God destroy Jehoshaphat’s enemies, but He also blessed the people beyond expectation! It took three days to collect all the spoil from these defeated enemies – valuables, clothing, equipment – a wealth of blessing! And not only the spoils, but there was peace in the land, and the enemies didn’t attack again.
The story ends this way: The Lord won the battle, and it was known.
“The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against Israel’s enemies. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side” (2 Chronicles 20:29, 30).
Not only did God win the battle, but God was honored in the nations. Unexpected provision and peace blessed His people.
CONCLUSION
Ultimately every battle we face is a spiritual one, whether a personal battle or the battles raging in our nation. The same prescription remains – pray, sing praises, fill our minds with God’s Words and promises, and listen for the Spirit’s voice.
Armor up with the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Soldier up with your shield of faith in God’s promises. Keep your head covered with the helmet of salvation, and the belt of truth. Wear the breastplate of right living, and walk about in God’s peace (Eph 6:12-18).
God will fight for us. God will exceed our expectations. Peace and rest will come as we live in God’s presence and believe His Word.
When we pray, worship, believe the Word of God, and listen for the Spirit’s voice, we will know victory in our battles!
I hope you will take time to read 2 Chronicles 20 and let the Holy Spirit speak to you as you pray, sing praises, believe God’s Word and listen to the gentle leading of the Spirit for your own personal battles.. I’m doing the same.
This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you”(2 Chronicles 20: 15-17).
The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day, and at night His song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life (Psalm 42:8 NIV).
Sometimes a new song doesn’t do it! But often, a familiar song will. Singing a song multiple times causes it to rise in my spirit; the God-breathed part of me, like an anchor, dropped in the ocean’s depths of the real me.
As a child of God, I am the temple of the Holy Spirit “who lives in me” (1 Corinthians 6:19). What I put into my heart and mind, whether a spiritual song or a scripture, may revive in the night seasons of life. And what was once buried in my spirit, at the moment needed, with the attending, gentle work of the Holy Spirit, surfaces with a melodious breath of life — like a song.
Our son, Tom, finished his senior year of high school mid-year, and his friend Dominique, an exchange student from Switzerland, invited him to his home. On a trip of a lifetime, Tom took his snowboard and was off. We didn’t know about all the adventures these young men would face.
On a Sunday after church, a few days before Tom was to fly home, we received a call from Dominique’s mom that shook our insides. Tom and Dominique were snowboarding in the mountains, and Tom had fallen and was flown by a medical helicopter to a Swiss hospital. Stunned, we immediately cried out to the Lord.
The high cost of flight tickets, because of short notice, and with Tom scheduled to fly home in four days, made us uncertain of what to do.
Time for bed came, but sleep was fleeting, and I found myself in the living room weeping before the Lord. I was concerned about Tom being alone in a foreign country, his severe injuries, and wondering if he could fly home as scheduled. And my heart longed to be with him.
In those heartache moments, an old song from years past came flooding into my thoughts, and I knew God was speaking: “I believe the answer’s on the way. I believe the Lord has heard me pray. Cast not away your confidence, says the Lord of Hosts. Now, by faith in Him alone, I stand, firmly held by His Almighty hand. Fully trusting in His promise, praise the Lord.”
Like a miracle, the Holy Spirit told me to stand firm and not cast my confidence away but trust God. In those divine moments, God’s comfort and peace brought the assurance I needed: Tom would get home safely. I went back to bed and was able to sleep.
The sweetness of the Holy Spirit in those precious moments assures you and me that He is with us: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8: 16). That part of me that never dies is connected to the Holy Spirit and He is the Helper, Comforter, Guide, and Truth-teller. He intercedes for us in our times of need (Romans 8:26) and brings things to our remembrance: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).
A constant stream of praise music and scriptures and experiencing God’s presence, like treasures, are buried deep into our spirit. In those night seasons of life, the Holy Spirit, living within, brings to remembrance exactly what is needed to face and get through the challenging and fearful days.
You may wonder what happened to Tom.
We had a call from the Swiss hospital. A nurse said, “hold a minute,” and then Tom was on the phone. He was hard to understand because of the neck brace that didn’t give his mouth much room for talking. Initially, they thought he had broken his neck, but thankfully, he hadn’t.
We were thrilled and relieved when Tom’s flight arrived home, complete with a neck brace, his luggage, and a large snowboard. Tom was on heavy medication and sleeping soundly on the flight. Thankfully, a little girl angel woke him, or he would have kept flying to who knows where.
In that night season, God spoke through an old song I hadn’t sung for years: “I Believe the Answer’s On the Way.” But the Holy Spirit, “who brings all things to remembrance,” gave me the precious gift of knowing God was working, “Now, by faith in Him alone, I stand, firmly held by His Almighty hand. Fully trusting in His promise, praise the Lord.”
Dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit
While waiting for Tom to come home, I kept rehearsing that song either out loud or in my mind. Each time it reminded me of God’s promise: I could trust Him! Although we were in South Dakota and Tom was in Switzerland, almost 5000 miles apart, it posed no problem for our everywhere-present God.
The more we plant in the good soil of our spirit the spiritual songs, Bible verses, and hymns of praise, we can expect the Holy Spirit to connect with us in our times of need and speak peace. We are admonished in Ephesians 6:19: “speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.”
In a night season, Paul and Silas, in prison for preaching the gospel, began singing hymns to God at midnight. A violent earthquake shook the place, opened the prison doors, and everyone’s chains fell off. The jailer called for the lights, rushed in, and fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas, asking, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:25-29). A night season was transformed by the hymns of praise that rose from their spirit.
I’m so thankful we are connected with the Holy Spirit who “lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17), especially when we need a song in the night season.
By the way, if you were moved by this story of God’s faithfulness, I invite you to listen to my YouTube channel Weekend Worship video entitled, “Jesus, You’re My Song .” https://youtu.be/3J1SmcuZqmg
Listening to it today reminded me that Jesus is “the sunshine on a rainy day”—during the hard days of life. He’s “the light that lights the darkest way”—when we are confused and feeling lost. Jesus is “my strength when mine has slipped away,” feeling weary of the battle, and “Jesus is my song!” So, “I’ll praise Him all day long because He’s the answer to my life, and He’s my song.”
God can take the fear from our minds and give us peace. Enjoy the video song and let it fill your heart and soul with the promise from God’s Word, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 youtube:https://youtu.be/N3mM-oiSOtA
When God opens a door of opportunity, it’s not always easy to walk through. Writing is a learned craft and one that hasn’t come easy for me. I love preaching, but the writing was a different kind of animal. Thankfully, I am learning.
I attended a Writer’s Conference in May with many experts, publishers, editors, teachers, professional writers, and regular people like me who are still learning the craft. The conference assembled to praise the Lord, get acquainted, and learn from the varied multitude of teachers and informative sessions. Besides all the contacts, handouts, and training, I came away with the confidence to pursue my dream of writing a book. Yeah! I’ve started.
Is there something that you have dreamed about doing and just haven’t put in the work to learn the craft? Don’t give up. Go for it and remember God will provide all you need to accomplish the task, with a bit of learning, no, a lot of learning along the way.
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Proverbs 37:4
Often in reading scripture, it’s easy to quickly gloss over words and fail to see the deeper meaning. In Psalm 18:2, our thoughts can anchor into the protection and deliverance God provides as a rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, horn, and stronghold. Consider the deeper meanings of these symbolic words describing our Deliverer.
David’s Psalm powerfully reminds us that a perfect God watches over us. This Psalm, repeated in 2 Samuel 22, may have been written near the end of David’s reign, and again proclaims God’s faithfulness to protect and save from enemies and troubles. Before David ascended the throne as King of Israel, he spent years running from the murderous threats of God-dethroned and jealous King Saul. This 3000-year-old Psalm of David continues to shout praise to our Living God, who is our rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn, and stronghold.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
ROCK “The Lord is my rock,”
We live in Arizona, and a few miles from boulder rocks, some more massive than our house! Everywhere we look, we are surrounded by magnificent, majestic mountains that inspire and point to the heavens, where ourhelp comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:1). David, fleeing from King Saul found a sure footing on the unwavering, stable, secure rock, often towering above his enemies.
A gifted and prophetic muscian, David, through the Holy Spirit, wrote the Pslams. David said, The Lord is my rock. In the New Testament, the foundational rock of faith is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16-18). We are wise to build our lives upon that firm foundation, Jesus!
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24, 25
When we anchor on the Rock, Christ Jesus, we will be anchored through the storms of life. When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. Proverbs 10:25
FORTRESS “The Lord is my rock, my fortress,“
A fortress, as in a military stronghold, is a safe place. We are secure inside not susceptible to outside influence or disturbances. God surrounds his people.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people (Psalm 125:2).
In spiritual warfare, not unlike a military battle, we fight the enemy of our soul. Knowing God is our Fortress, together with daily time in the Word (the sword of the Spirit, Ephesians 6:17), and prayer, we can stand against the forces of evil.
This symbolism reflects the strength and power of God to keep and protect from the attack of our enemies, especially the Devil. God’s presence is our safe place of refuge and peace.
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear (Isaiah 41:10).
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand (John 10:29).
DELIVERER “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;”
A deliverer is someone who rescues from harm or danger. Our Savior has saved us from sin and death. You may recount times God has kept you from an accident while driving or protected you from a harmful situation. Our Deliverer is always aware of every detail of our lives. Our Deliverer has given us the Holy Spirit, our helper, comforter, and daily guide.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Not only does God deliver us in this world, but from the eternal wrath to come: and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead–Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
REFUGE “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,“
In a time of trouble, we have a shelter from the storms of life, a place where we are safe and sheltered from pursuit, danger, or stress. God speaks that if the mountains fall into the sea – which would be more than alarming and frightening – God says, don’t be anxious, but be still. Over 300 times in the Bible God says we should not be afraid. God says it so many times because he knows we are repeatedly afraid and fearful. Thankfully, God is our rock, fortress, refuge, and deliverer as we put our trust in Him.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:1, 2 ,10).
God also provides a refuge from lies, mean and hurtful words or actions of others. When we fix our mind on the Lord’s promises, we find that secret place of peace and refuge.
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues (Psalm 31:20)
God is imminently ready to be our refuge!
SHIELD “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield,”
A shield is protective armor against an attack of the enemy. David, on the run from Saul, knew God as a shield, ultimately the Protector who would fulfill his destiny.
The shield, in essence, is a reference to the Sovereign God who does the impossible. A Sovereign is one who possesses supreme, ultimate power, able to defend. In Genesis 15, God calls himself a shield (Sovereign) of Abram.
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless?” (Genesis 15:1, 2).
The Sovereign Lord did the impossible by giving a son to a 90-year-old barren woman and 100-year-old man.
…” a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.”He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Genesis 15:4, 5
The supreme, ultimate power of God knows how to fight our battles. He is our shield!
HORN OF SALVATION “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.”
Horns symbolize strength and victory.
Horn in the Old Testament was a shofar, ram’s horn, like a bugle. At Jericho, the first Canaanite city conquered upon entrance into the Promised Land, the horns blew, the people shouted, and the walls fell (Jericho 6:20).
Horns in Revelation symbolized the power of nations and their leaders (Revelation 13:1)
Horns on the altar in Temple were placed on each corner, symbolizing atonement, or purity by the blood of the Old Testament sacrifice of animals, and the blood sacrifice of Jesus in the New Testament (Exodus 27:2; Ezekiel 43:20).
The horn of salvation symbolizes not only strength to help, but victory over sin. Forgiveness of sin, the strength of God through all Jesus accomplished on the cross and resurrection, gives overcoming power and triumph to the child of God. Not only over sin but strength to achieve daily tasks and energy to do more than we think we can. David said, With God’s help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall (Psalm 18:29).
God, the horn (strength) of our salvation is stronger than any other power. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is working in us to defeat sin and give life.
STRONGHOLD The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
One of the most beautiful places in Israel, in the Judean desert and next to the Dead Sea, is a place called En Gedi. David found this fortified and protected stronghold from an attack, an oasis of canyons and caves, fertile vineyards, freshwater springs, and animals that provide food. Strongholds, like David’s, was a place of protection, an oasis in the desert.
Metaphorically, negative strongholds in the mind – uncontrolled anger, addictions, sexual temptations, alcohol, or hoarding – can be overcome by the power of God. Armed in the transforming Word and God’s presence guarantees a protected stronghold against fears, stresses, and insecurity. We are safe as we remain in God’s stronghold. The Word will keep our thoughts right, actions pure, and lives under God’s protection.
The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
I LOVE YOU, LORD, MY STRENGTH
As you consider these terms as symbolic of God’s divine help as rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, horn of my salvation, and stronghold, we can say as David did, I love you, Lord, my strength! The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:1,2).
I’ve discovered a God-secret! The enemy, skilled at making things attractive to the eye of our soul, seeks ways to play on our passions, luring us away from God’s direction. A safeguard against “giving in” to popular cultural values and opinions is to be immersed in Scripture. The tale of Hamelin may be a helpful illustration.
AN ANALOGY – THE TALE OF HAMELIN
The Pied Piper Kate Greenaway for Robert Browning’s The Pied Piper of Hamelin
With a plague of rats, the German town of Hamelin hired the Pied (multi-colored) Piper, whose hypnotic notes from his magical flute led the rats out of town and into the river. However, after the city refused to pay for his services, the Piper quickly devised a vengeful plan; he enchanted the 130 village children and led them away, never to be seen again.
Like the duped children who followed the Pied Piper, the Deceiver of our soul allures us to follow the crowd’s values. Those values often oppose God’s values for marriage, life, relationships, work ethics, and godliness. Jesus described the accepted worldly values as the broad road to destruction. Jesus also said those who love the Word and do the Father’s will find the “narrow road” that leads to heaven.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
The children of Hamelin were caught up in the moment. They didn’t listen to their parents’ warnings about strangers. Instead, they followed the crowd that led them on the “wide road” to destruction.
Like those children, it’s easy to follow the crowd and disregard God’s warnings in Scripture. Our human nature is easily swayed with a propensity to wander off the narrow road. We follow what our eyes see, fleshly desires, or are caught up in thinking we are someone who doesn’t need God’s commands.
For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but from this world (1 John 2:16).
ESCAPE THE DECEIVER
Without the strength of God’s presence and His guiding principles, we will fall prey to the Pied-Piper-like enemy of our souls. He roams about seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
God gives the promise: when we dwell in his Word, we guard against sin. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11).
To escape the Deceiver, seeking God through the Bible will keep us on the narrow path to heaven and alert to the world’s values.
God’s Word is a weapon against the enemy of our soul. Jesus defined our Bibles as more important than our daily food because every word of Scripture comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).
Without developing a more profound knowledge of Scripture, my perception is dull. My emotions fool me. Human thinking, peer pressure, and attractive pleasures call my name. I need help to be alert and guard against the world’s ways. As a genuine seeker of God, I’m not above deception. But a sure defense is to examine closely God’s word. It “teaches me to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age”(Titus 2:12).
Too often, I act as if I’m smarter than I am–doing things my way instead of what God has commanded. My self-talk excuses my actions. Popular opinions influence me incorrectly. Being accepted by the crowd sways my thoughts. When I listen and give in to popular views of cultural voices that oppose God’s values, I’m joining the “wide road” travelers.
Learning and obeying God’s Word fends off worldly opinions. My love for God deepens. Obedience comes so much easier. Then, the narrow road appeals to me. God grants grace and favor.
As I remain in God’s Word, my lifestyle more readily conforms to God’s nature.
As the Psalmist wrote, I delight in Your commandments because I love them (Psalm 119:147). And, when I love them, God knows I love Him! The more I love Him, the more I obey. And, it’s a joy!
The measure of my love for God deepens as I grow in understanding the God of Scripture.
Wide and Narrow Road Paul Beckmann 1866
MORALISTIC THERAPEUTIC DEISM – The Most Popular Worldview
The Cultural Research Center (CRC) at Arizona Christian University, and Dr. George Barna, the Director of Research, surveyed the state of Christianity in America in 2021. According to Barna, the statistics say many Christians shape their beliefs based NOT on Scripture but popular opinion, “Christianity in this nation is rotting from the inside out.” According to Barna, three out of four American Christians fall into the ranks of this new philosophy, and the most popular worldview is called Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD). Barna describes this new belief system as “watered-down, feel-good, fake Christianity.” https://www.assistnews.net/christianity-in-america-rotting-from-the-inside-out/
Moralistic Therapeutic Deists beliefs:
95% do not agree success in life is consistent with obedience to God.
91% do not believe people are born into sin. Salvation through Jesus is unnecessary.
88% of primary moral guidance is from various sources, not the Bible.
76% of people earn a place in heaven through being good (no need for Jesus’ death and resurrection).
75% do not believe God is the basis of all truth.
74% believe in karma.
71% do not think the Bible is the truth from God.
These stats are very troubling! But, there’s a remedy. Learning and applying the Scripture keeps us off the wide road and guards against the Deceiver of our soul.
BUILD YOUR DEFENSES LOVING THE WORD EACH DAY
Carving out a daily time in the Word takes determination. Living a life that pleases God takes dedication. It’s a struggle to fight the flesh and worldly values, but it’s possible. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments (2 Corinthians 10:4, NLT).
Through Scripture, we learn wisdom for life in every aspect – relationships, business, spiritual growth, parenting, marriage, church life, problem-solving and more. Without knowledge of the Scripture, it’s like using a dull ax. We lack wisdom for everyday life and the temptations that come.
Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed (Ecclesiastes 10:10). The knowledge of Scripture equips with overcoming power to recognize and avoid the world’s attractions and the Deceiver’s traps.
GET WISDOM
In the New Testament, Jude writes to “contend (struggle, work for it) for the faith, or “sharpen the blade.” Learning and applying Scripture will develop the strength to overcome the world’s arguments and philosophies as it trains in wise choices.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
The children followed the Pied Piper to their destruction. Instead of listening to their parents, they listened to the crowd. We can learn an excellent lesson in how to please the Father by the example of Jesus. He told the Deceiver, the Devil, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Jesus did the will of the Father and overcame the Devil. So can we when we fight, armed with the Word.
SHOW GOD YOU LOVE HIM BY LOVING THE WORD
Loving God’s Word IS loving God (every word is from the mouth of God).
Unlike the village children that followed the crowd to their death, growing in the Word gives spiritual power to overcome the world’s values, philosophies, and sins. Loving the Word is the best defense against the world’s Pied-Piper-Deceiver. Loving the words of the Bible will build confidence in walking on the narrow road to heaven.
Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.