My Defense

Did you ever have anyone say things about you that were just flat-out untrue? Perhaps they were jealous, or fearful, or bitter, but whatever they case, they decided to speak death instead of life. It’s hard to hear that stuff, isn’t it? Especially when they can’t even say it to your face and you hear it second hand. You feel like you can’t even answer the charges and right the wrongs because the words have been spoken. Seeds have been planted.

This past Sunday, I was speaking to the kids at youth about negative words. Scott had invited me in for a few minutes and we were talking about how much words can wound and deeply scar and cause you to go through life for a long period of time believing them. When freedom does come (and if you are seeking Jesus, because He is truth, healing WILL come!) it is so amazingly…free. Those words no longer have power over you. Stick and stones may break your bones but words… oh they can cut deep and last a lifetime. So now, when something is said, because you have the experience of freedom, you realize that you have an advocate – Jesus! And He can reverse what is said by countering it with truth!

When you hear something about yourself that is untrue, you have options — you can defend yourself and try to prove your “rightness.” Or the other choice is simply just have to allow the Lord to deal with it. The phrase from Moses’ song after the flight out of Egypt (Ex 15:2) has been running through my head lately. “The Lord is my defense.” He is. He is able to turn the heart of those who speak ill and participate in wrong speech. He is able to correct that which needs to be corrected. He is able to show truth to them with his amazing gentleness and love — and He is way better at it than I would ever be. So I think that is wisdom. Let the Lord be my defender. (For one who always had to have the last word and be right… this has been a valuable life-lesson for me!)

Psalm 27: A Psalm of David. 

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.

4 The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6 Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the Lord with music.

7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
9 Do not turn your back on me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
O God of my salvation!
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.

11 Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me.
12 Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
with every breath they threaten me with violence.
13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.

14 Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.