Surrounded.

They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me;
In the name of the Lord I will certainly fend them off.
They surrounded me like bees;
They were extinguished like a fire of thorn bushes;
In the name of the Lord I will certainly fend them off.
You pushed me violently so that I was falling,
But the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation. Psalm 118:11-14

Certainly there are increasing times where one can feel surrounded and ‘under’ attack. Then there are times we need to pass through areas we are unfamiliar with that are increasingly dark and possibly dangerous. As this world spins into further chaos how are we to navigate? The ‘tests’ and life challenges never let up. One looks for ‘rest’ but it is much harder to find. Evil always seems to be infiltrating and seeping into areas that were ‘safe’ before, but now are no longer ‘safe’ and discernment is severely needed … even in the small things. This may sound bleak – and that is exactly what the enemies of God want you to feel. The Psalms are filled with feelings like these. David doesn’t hold back expressing his feelings to God.

The need to ‘press in’ with the Holy Spirit is now moment by moment. What are we rehearsing in our minds? Whose voice are we listening to? Have you learned to discern His voice within you? Do you refocus your mind continually back on Him? When you are surrounded do you realize there are ‘more’ with you than against you?

Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “This is hopeless, my master! What are we to do?” And he said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are greater than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes so that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17

 See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10

What is God doing on your behalf – right now? Have you ever considered that question? Do you acknowledge that God is ‘with you’ and ‘for you’? How do we really know?

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31

The other ‘factor’ I am continually reminded about is the ultimate ‘reward’ He has for each of us. Heaven IS our real home. Time isn’t a factor for Him. He sees it already done. That heavenly assurance only pushes me now to invest every day wisely and to listen intently for His instructions throughout the day. I so want to finish well. I so want to hear those words “well done’ from Him. Can I see His ‘light’ guiding me through the ‘dark’ tunnel that currently surrounds me?

When I was younger, I always thought it would get easier as I got older. Certainly a few things are easier – but mostly the challenges now are much bigger and more difficult. As my body is definitely under the law of thermodynamics (time and sin) and going into decay must faster now, and maintaining is a significant work now rather than when I was younger. I am surrounded by forces that are much more dangerous – that I now have to think of things I NEVER thought about as a young person. Which each passing decade new challenges arrive. We can wish for the past – but we only can go forward and not back.

Is heaven your goal? What is being highlighted to you from the Holy Spirit?

Father …surround us with YOUR Presence. We want to rest in YOU! Jesus speak to us. We surrender Holy Spirit to YOUR plan and instruction.