Peace Not Oppression

Isaiah 40:31 - But those who hope (wait) in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

In the month of October, I believe we face increased demonic activity that is manifested through the Halloween season. The struggle with relational discord, emotional instability, mental insecurities, and overall oppression by Satan is real. BUT GOD, His Word tells us we have not been given a spirit of fear but of love and a SOUND mind (2 Timothy 1:7). God’s Word also says, to resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7). The problem is, we often prefer flight to fight. In Psalm 55 verses 5 and 6, we find David wanting to do the same thing.

Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert.”

David was angry. He had been betrayed by those close to him. He was afraid. His life was in danger and the threat was imminent. David was overwhelmed. He didn’t know what to do and his first instinct was to flee.

Donald C. Stamps commentary regarding Psalm 55:6 says, “When we are oppressed by evil people or spiritual enemies, or when the troubles of the world bring fear, anguish and overwhelming anxiety, we too often wish to find rest and relief by escaping from our present distress. However, in most cases escape from such situations is not possible. The real solution is found only in seeking refuge in God. We can do as the psalmist did—call upon God evening, morning and noon and cast our burdens upon the Lord by looking to Him to sustain us. When facing trials too great to bear, God invites us to cast our burdens and cares upon Him. He then bears the weight of them with us and sustains us in every situation.”

Through continued prayer and time in God’s presence, David’s fear and anxiety turns to intercession. By verse 16 he is crying out to the Lord in the evening, morning and at noon and by verse 22 his cries turn into hope, cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

You see…peace is in the praise and strength is in the waiting. We don’t have to accept the oppression Satan has planned. We are overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb!

Pastor Julia Scott