Press In

Read |Psalm 18|

"The hangman's noose was tight at my throat; devil waters rushed over me. Hell's ropes cinched me tight; death traps barred every exit."
(Psalm 18: 4 - 5, MSG).

I am in recovery. Last week the world became a boulder gaining momentum, and it rolled right over me. I felt it coming.  I saw it coming. And as it rolled towards me I extended my arms, set my palms bare towards it and bent my knees--I was going to stop it with my strength. It wasn't long before the dense mass of false and vain demands appeared to make a mockery of my strength--crushing me under its weight. Feeling struggle to breathe where there had previously been none, I pleaded with the world poised against me: "Will you have mercy?" But, it was deaf to my plea. 

"A hostile world! I call to GOD, I cry to God to help me. From his palace he hears my call; my cry brings me right into his presence--a private audience!" (Psalm 18: 6, MSG).

While panting for breath under the weight of the world I heard love whisper, "Will you have me wasted?"  My eyes made their way upward with expectation and, between tears and gasping, I muttered, "God help me!" He heard my cry and drew me near. I was in His presence, on my "feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of [His] face." (Psalm 16: 11, MSG).

I love you, GOD--you make me strong. GOD is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. My God--the high crag where I run for dear life, hiding behind the boulders, safe in the granite hideout. I sing to GOD, the praise--Lofty, and find myself safe and saved." (Psalm 18: 1 - 2, MSG).

He spoke kindly to me saying, "I am your home. When the world comes at you, press into me. Don't hold your hands up. Don't try to make it understand. Let it come and watch how I work. It will roll over you with poor intention. But, take heart, I have overcome the world (John 16: 33). I will make this work for your good (Romans 8: 28). Remember I am the very foundation of your life. Set your face to the ground and press into me--your firm and secure foundation. And watch as the weight sent to destroy you, I make to draw you. That's the secret love--press in."

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being our hiding place. Thank you for being our home. Help us to place our expectation in you--no matter the season. Help us to press into you, when the world seeks to run over us. In Jesus' name, amen.