“I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will for you, O Lord, are my God. Let your good spirit guide me
in ways that are level and smooth.” Psalm 143:8
When things get tough where to you turn? Many in today’s world run to alcohol or drugs, television and pornography to hide from the “terrors” of life. These souls are empty and totally insecure. They seek not to face their demons but to run from them thinking they will go away if you hide long enough. These demons never leave when one hides from them. No, in fact, they are only empowered, strengthened and emboldened by fear.
How does a soul stand against the terrors and demons arrayed against it?
Psalm 143:8 gives us the answer – “I have fled to you for refuge.” We don’t need to be perfect or strong to run to God. The truth of the matter is that God hopes in your weakness that you will ‘flee” to Him. It is only with God that we find the strength to fight the demons attacking us. It is only behind the cross that we find defense against the world and sin. It is only on the Holy Spirit that we find power to overcome what is perhaps our greatest ‘demon’ – ourself.
Once we find the strength within our heart to turn to God in our weakness, we give Him permission to start teaching us. We find God’s Spirit guiding us in ways that are level and smooth.
We find our true defense against the demons of sin is in standing against them, wrapped in the armor which is the Precious Blood of Jesus. As we learn to stand beside Jesus in our falls and struggles, we find ourselves being trained to fight the greater battles. And, we come to understand the truth of God being our rock and fortress, stronghold, deliverer, shield. God becomes our refuge. We are taught to do His Will.
So, again, I ask you: To Whom do you run?
“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; my rock and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues the peoples under me.” Psalm 144:1-2