Overcomer!

This morning, I started out with a point and shoot kind of private time. I needed help; I lacked zeal. I’ve been concerned and frustrated by other people but more so by my own lack of self-control in dealing with my feelings about some of the issues at hand. 

  This is how great a God I serve.  He let me read something that didn’t speak that much to my situation and then guided me into this passage with which he totally bared my heart, soul and spirit.  I believe the first reading was a buffer to get me ready to hear what he would pour into me.

Psalm 143.  My suggestion is that you read it and let God speak to your spirit.  This is what he gave me.

  David begins this Psalm/prayer by asking for 3 things: Lord hear; listen; come.  He also acknowledges 3 needs: Prayer; mercy; relief.  He pleads his own cause identifying himself as ‘Your servant’; asks not to be brought to judgment because ‘no one living is righteous.’

  Sometimes I know the truth and the expectation, but I still get thrown off guard and step off track. I feel like the gymnast who lost the perfect routine to a moment of distraction, stepped off the mat and was disqualified for the prize.  So my God led me through the process of overcoming when you are crushed, face down.
  The first step to overcoming is to recognize the enemy:  he pursues, crushes, tries to bring darkness, discards, and causes dismay.  The enemy is real.  He’s not imaginary.  He will use good people, bad people, incidental moments or anything else to work his evil and gain even a moment in the life of a child of God or a family of believers.

  When our eyes are on our own worthiness or ability to be right, our eyes are not on our solution or defender. Pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps is not a biblical concept.  Often conflict, confrontation, accusation and peer judgment will pull us off the course we have set.  Even when we don’t believe the statements and sometimes, even when we realize the speaker is not the real author of this distracting and destructive encounter, it pursues us, captivates us and crushes us to the ground.  We defend, we react, we forget. We find ourselves in turmoil.
  The second step in overcoming is to remember the past days, God's works, God's hand, God’s forgiveness.  Take time to dwell on the goodness of God, the times and the ways he has interfered for our good.  Remember the miracle of salvation and consider the times we have seen the undeniable hand of God in our situations.  Even if our present situation seems very bleak, remembering the goodness God has shown brings thankfulness back to our heart.
  The third step to overcoming is to stretch towards God; thirst for God.  In recognizing that he is our real need, our sustenance and our true solution we put our hearts and minds into a stance of receiving from the one who can do what we need.
  The fourth step to overcoming is to ask for an answer; for a speedy solution; ask to see God's face for salvation in trouble.  Jesus said we are to ask.  Don’t just take the stance that God knows your need before you ask.  Of course he does, but he says ‘Ask.’  Be honest, tell him what you want.  Understand that he is wiser, truer and more loving than your heart and mind can imagine, but ask.  If you ask for a fish, he will not send a serpent to bite you.  Don’t insult yourself or him by asking for a yacht and 15 pairs of fancy shoes.  I recall a time when I was face down in muck that I asked God to help me win the lottery.  Yeah, it didn’t happen, but he did meet my need, preserve my life and bring redemption to the situation.
  Step five is to wait. The night may seem unbearably long, but wait for sunrise to burn off the darkness.  Wait for the confirmation of his love and the reward for trust.  Wait for direction; wait for a reply.
  Step six is to expect deliverance from the enemy.  Expect a hiding place in your God. Expect him to word on your behalf.
  Step seven is to learn to obey; let him teach you to recognize and praise him.  Learn to follow.  Obeying and following aren’t really the same.  One is quick action toward a command.  The other is long term action to trust and be what he is leading you into.
  And finally, reconsider God's promise- the promise he has spoken in his word and the promise he has spoken to you personally.  Delight in the promise of God. Reconsider God's protection, God's righteousness, God's power over the situation, God's unfailing love, God's sovereignty, God's justice, and God's ownership.  You are His servant.  You are His child.  You are His love.  Live there! You are an overcomer.