My personal experience of the Word of God is that it teaches me, soothes me and empowers me to make positive changes to my life.
This morning, however, reading the Word of God also made me laugh out loud in mirth! I had been reading Psalm 3, written by David:
"But You, O Lord , are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. (Selah)
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me."
As I continued, I got to verse 7:
"Arise, O Lord ; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone..."
Huh? I thought that there had to be some bible-fancy meaning to the phrase "[strike] all my enemies on the cheekbone", right?
So in my curiosity, I looked up a modern translation of that verse:
"Arise, O lord ! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face!"
Upon reading that, I honestly could not help but burst out laughing. I pictured my 'enemy' walking down the street, being completely blindsided by a Powerful, Invisible Force giving them a THOROUGH air-slapping on my behalf!
Well, I couldn't tell you if that is exactly how God operates, but the verse served to remind me of some powerful truths:
- God is always looking out for me and protecting me.
- God always has my back, even when the situation is dire or tragic.
- When I call out to God, He answers.
- God fights my battles, if I let Him.
Therefore I don't need to stress and strive unnecessarily! My job is to be the best me that God created me to be, with Him as my Rock, my Compass and my Guide as we navigate the sometimes choppy waters of life together.
So watch out, you enemies, frenemies, criticisers, backbiters and naysayers!! Watch out, powers, principalities and all spiritual enemies of my life!! Watch out, all you emotional enemies of defeat, despair and discouragement!!
Do you KNOW who I am? And more importantly, do you KNOW who my Father is??
Enemies, get out of my way and stop aggravating me!!! Or else, prepare to be (air or otherwise) SLAPPED in the face by my Father!!
Enemies, consider yourselves warned!!
