God's Grace (by Diane Webb)

“God’s grace” by Diane Webb

Psalms 7:  10

“My defense is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.”

God’s protection and moral excellence go hand in hand.  Those with fear, worry, and anxiety can look to the Lord as a shield and with the Lord defending you what need is there to be afraid?  Moral excellence is a high standard.  Perhaps we are unsure of our own ability to maintain an upright heart and therefore become insecure about God being there for us.  Generally when the bible refers to the heart it is referring to our spirit.  It’s not referring to flesh which, as we all know, is weak.  Having an upright heart is to have a moral spirit.  The spirit is the part of us which strives to do the right thing and truly loves the Lord.  Being human, we do not always succeed.  However, we can recognize our failings, repent, and work towards a closer relationship with God.  “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:  41) speaks to the human nature of a Christian--as does, “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:  23).  The closer we walk with God the more temptation we will experience because Satan is threatened when we are under God’s protection and influence.  God does, however, give us the ability to resist temptation and overcome Satan’s influence.  Satan lost his claim on us when Jesus died on the cross.  The problem is many of us do not claim the victory.  Satan is constantly whispering in our ears things that may frighten or upset us.  Once we recognize the voice in our ear is not of God, we can resist.  When we resist Satan he will flee (James 4:  7).  Often the second we realize an anxiety producing thought is coming from Satan it disappears.  Satan knows he has no power over us unless we give it to him.  Therefore, he tries to keep doubt stirred up which then weakens our resistance.  However, God is our defense if we accept.  To accept God is to submit to God’s will.  It’s a simple strategy—if something is of God, submit; if something is of Satan, resist.  Often we get these backwards—we give in to Satan and we fight with God.  There was a woman once who had backslidden badly.  At a mature age she started smoking, drinking, and going to parties.  While she was outside smoking, she became grieved in her spirit because she knew she had lost her closeness with God and felt utterly desolate because she was alone (being away from the presence of God is the most alone a person can feel).  She had been struggling with temptation and now, an addiction.  As her heart grieved and she was sorry (repentant) she immediately became aware of the pressure of one hand on each of her shoulders from behind—as if someone were standing behind her and offering support and encouragement.  The only problem is there was a wall behind her so it was not humanly possible for anyone to be standing there.  She knew instantly God was there and was letting her know, “I am here, I still love you, and I’ve got your back”.  She cried because this is the kind of love she never knew existed.  In an instant of clarity she understood grace.  Here she was in the very act of disobeying God yet in her sorrow (her upright heart) God let her know he was behind her (defending her).  She went on to repent and get her life back in line with God’s will.   The important message to her was this:  “my defense is of God, which saveth the upright in heart”—saving them even from themselves.

Heavenly father, help me today to recognize and resist the lies of Satan.  Help me develop and keep an upright heart and with your help align my actions according to your will.  I thank you Lord for your defense and I accept it and submit to your will.  In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

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