This life of following Jesus is not something that can be done casually. It’s not picking up a Bible once in a while. It can’t be attending church on Sunday mornings occasionally.
If I am not totally sold out, forsaking everything for Jesus, I am not going to make it. There are too many obstacles, too many things fighting against our devotion to Jesus. We have a real enemy and his name is Satan. He is powerful and he has an army and lots of weapons to throw up in our path toward Jesus. Many things scream for our attention and our allegiance. Habits, addictions, and temptations galore. Temptations to commit sin and temptations to avoid doing what we’ve been called to do. If I am not going full bore toward Jesus, I’m going backwards. I will be distracted, discouraged, and headed in the wrong direction before I know what hit me.
Devotion to Jesus is not a decision to be taken lightly. It’s an all out war against an enemy who will stop at nothing to keep us from our goal. BUT…we have a savior who has stopped at nothing to pull us in!
So why is the enemy so successful at keeping us from becoming all we were created to be? Because the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
I started this year with Psalm 27:4 ringing in my ears.
The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in His Temple.
If this is really what I want most, why can’t I seem to make it happen? Yes, I have all of Satan’s forces against me, but all of Heaven is for me! Let me tap into the resources available to me and make it happen on a daily basis. As I read the rest of Psalm 27, I realize David’s struggle sounds much like mine. He sees his enemy and yet he knows he has all of Heaven on his side!
Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I WILL REMAIN CONFIDENT. —Psalm 27:3
My heart has heard You say, “Come and talk with Me! And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming! —Psalm 27:8
Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. —Psalm 27:11
Wait patiently for the Lord. BE BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. —Psalm 27:14
David is counseling his own soul. He knows that the struggle is real. It was for him and it is for us. Let us continue to remind ourselves and each other that what we really want is to spend every day in the Lord’s presence. And while there is a dark host fighting against us, there is a greater host of heaven who is fighting for us! Never give up the struggle. Be brave and courageous and wait patiently for the Lord.
