"Under the Shadow of Thy Wings"

Do you remember those times when you were younger and some "enemy" (a dog, person, or maybe just a distorted inanimate object) was "going to get" you? Most likely you were very scared. You probably knew, however, that if you could make it to mommy and daddy they would protect you. Perhaps some of you had that stability for a time, but then it was ripped out from underneath your feet; perhaps some of you never had it at all. It's the unfortunate way of things today.

 And, perhaps, some of you are trying to flee from something that no parent can vanquish. Each one of us has a foe that no family member, no friend, can fight for us. It is between us and them. I have seen it many a time in the life of those dear to me-when I just wanted to be able to give them the victory on a silver platter, but I couldn't.

What's more, I have gone through such lone struggle myself. The worst trials I have experienced have not involved individuals (though some of those have been hard as well), but my own mind. There is nothing more terrible than one's brain being assaulted with random, hideous thoughts and ideas, things that you would never willingly ascribe to. No one you know can fight it for you. You can't make sense of it, and it seems like no matter what you do you can't stop it. No sooner did you fight one than another one takes it's place. You get tired from trying to hold onto what you know is true, and every few minutes feels like hell. You get to the point where you're not sure what or who you really are anymore. You begin to doubt your own sanity. Soon other people aren't too far behind you on that, especially when you start talking to yourself so you can at least hear something sensible... My mother was particularly distressed by my strange behavior, and had often told me to "hold the thoughts captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ." I scoffed at such an idea. Like it was that simple! Furthermore, I told her, I did not want to have to be doing that all day.

One day, however, I reached the end of my rope. I realized I had nothing whatsoever to lose by giving it a try. Surely it could be no worse in effect than the mantras I had created-they weren't much help. So I tried. I can't remember the exact experiences following my decision to try it, but I know it put me on the road to "recovery". Sometimes I would-and still do- fall back into the old habits, but more and more I have learned to hold them captive. Then, I go by faith. Since I truly believe that they have fled, I go about my business as though they had never come, regardless of the feelings of fear and condemnation that come upon me. Often, it is not easy, but GOD has given me many victories through this advice.

Such advice does not just apply to my particular situation. The basis, going by faith, is applicable to any and all situations. When temptation assails us, we may claim the promises in GOD's Word, and we can be sure of them- as long as we do all that is within our power to cooperate with Him. It might be confessing sins, setting things right between us and our neighbor, removing temptations as much as possible, and so on. He cannot help as much when we willingly cherish known evil.

I hope these promises become a safe haven to you, as they are to me. Here is a quote from a devotional called Our High Calling by Mrs. Ellen G. White. It is taken from March 20, "Give No Place to Temptation":

"Let us trust fully, humbly, unselfishly, in God. We are His little children, and thus He deals with us. When we draw near to Him, He mercifully preserves us from the assaults of the enemy. Never will He betray one who trusts in Him as a child trusts in its parents. He sees the humble, trusting souls drawing near to Him, and in pity and love He draws near to them, and lifts up for them a standard against the enemy. “Touch them not,” He says, “for they are mine. I have graven them upon the palms of my hands.” He teaches them to exercise unquestioning faith in His power to work in their behalf. With assurance they say, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

 

May GOD be the Father you can run to. May you realize, by faith, the fulfillment of the psalmist's prayer in Psalm 17:8-9: "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass me about."

Blessings,
Adelaide