The Enemy's Primary Goal

"O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God. Selah." Psalm 3:1-2

When it comes to deceiving people, I believe one of the primary ways that the enemy does that is by getting us to believe we are all alone and that God isn't going to save us. In Psalm 3, David is a terrible position, his son has betrayed him and is rallying the troops against him. There are few things worse than you children turning on you.

Absalom wanted power. He wanted control, much like the enemy seeks control over your life. With David's entire kingdom turning against him, hope is hard to come by. Here David is counting his enemies. He is looking around and seeing the world has turned against him. He went from a proclaimed here, having slain his ten thousands, to now a refugee, looking for a place to hide.

We can relate to David here. In our own lives, we have felt this way. Everyone is against me, I can't do anything right, I'm not even sure God can help me now. When you are at the end of your rope, where do you turn? The enemy of our souls would have us believe that we have no place to turn, that there is no hope, but that's not the case.

God hadn't forsaken David. The Lord was still with David, even in the midst of this incredibly trying time. He would show his power to David yet again, but it probably didn't happen in David's timing. David spent many sleepless nights in caves wondering if he would make it through this trial. In the midst of our trials, God has not left us, he's preparing our hearts to see his salvation.

Too many times in my own life, I've expected God to move in my own time. I've wanted to force his hand. If I could just pray hard enough or fast long enough, then maybe he would respond. Essentially, I was trying to manipulate God, but God cannot be manipulated. His ways are higher than our ways. He knows the perfect way for us to grow closer to him, so our response should simply be one of trust. Trust in the Lord. His ways are better. Trust in the Lord. His salvation is sure. Trust in the Lord. His is our refuge in times of trouble.

Prayer - Lord, help me to put my trust in you despite my circumstances. Even though my circumstances are hard, I know that you are good and your ways are best. Help me to believe that. Help me to trust in that. Amen.