Devotions

There is a text in the original Hebrew that has blessed me greatly, and I want to share it with you. “When designing pursuers approached me, who are far from thy law; then you, O Jehovah, wast near with all thy faithful commandments” (Psalm 119:150-151, Helen Spurrell Translation).

Demonic principalities and powers had surrounded King David, trying to bring him and Israel to ruin and destruction. This man of God testified that as the enemy drew near, he trusted the Lord to draw even nearer. David said that God held him by his right hand, walking him through every enemy assault.

Here in David’s testimony is a wonderful promise for you and me. We can be sure Satan is out to destroy, harass and pull down all who love the Lord. The enemy will do all within his power to bring us into a pit of despair, confusion, guilt and condemnation.

Do you have any satanic “designing pursuers” coming against you right now?  Overwhelming temptations? Trials? Financial burdens? Marriage or family problems? Business problems? When your pursuers come near you with a design to destroy you, take heart! The Lord God Almighty is even nearer. He is at your side; and if he is near you, he will act on your behalf. I cannot imagine God being near any child of his and yet sitting by allowing the devil to abuse or corrupt his beloved in any way.

“Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let those also who hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. Sing to God, sing praises to his name; extol him who rides on the clouds, by his name Yah, and rejoice before him” (Psalm 68:1-4, NKJV).

See what God has promised to do for you, if you will trust him. You can claim these four verses for now and throughout the year. Memorize these verses, stand on them and God will put your enemies to chase.

In the book of Jude, we read of a future day so wicked and vile that God will come with thousands of his saints to execute judgment for all ungodly deeds. Jude prophesied men would be given over to their filthy lusts, becoming mockers, sensual, “foaming up their own shame” (Jude 1:13, NKJV). These would comprise a society of corrupt fornicators going after “strange flesh,” referring to pandemic homosexuality.

Today, America is not the only nation casting aside all moral restraint. The moral landslide is worldwide, and it is becoming very evident that Satan is retching the abominations of hell upon humankind. It is a time that we are warned in scripture, when the devil will try to seduce God’s elect.

Jude looked ahead into those awful, wicked times and saw something else, something most inspiring and miraculous. In the midst of all the immorality and mounting degradation, he witnessed a people “who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1).

No matter how corrupt this world becomes in the days ahead — no matter how devilish the media, TV and movies become, no matter how much devil worship increases, no matter how far homosexuals force their agenda on society, no matter if the devil himself walks our streets — God is going to preserve his children. He is going to preserve for himself a sanctified, holy people. He will keep them from the wicked one, and they will become strong in faith and devotion, while the ungodly race toward destruction.

Hear the word of the Lord. “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

David said, “For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake his saints” (Psalm 37:28) and “You shall keep them, O Lord, you shall preserve them from this generation forever. The wicked prowl on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men” (Psalm 12:7-8).

Let this prayer of the apostle Paul be yours and mine in the evil, troubled times ahead: “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18). Rejoice! God has covenanted to keep and preserve those who fully trust him.

Just as I was preparing to write this message, the Holy Spirit spoke clearly to me, “Edify the people. Bless them with my Word.” I responded, “Lord, I would love to, but what do you want to say? You must impress deeply upon my spirit the right word for these times.”

Here is what I received from the Lord. I hope you will receive it and be truly edified. Perhaps you are the very one whom God has prepared to receive such a word of encouragement at this particular time.

• • God desires that you believe what he has spoken to you, especially about healing and guidance.

“The nobleman said to him [Jesus], ‘Sir, come down before my child dies!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your son lives.’ So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way” (John 4:48-50, NKJV).

• • The Lord is going to answer your heart-cry according to the multitude of his tender mercies. His timing is perfect, so be patient. “Hear me, O Lord, for your lovingkindness is good; turn to me according to the multitude of your tender mercies. And do not hide your face from your servant, for I am in trouble; hear me speedily. Draw near to my soul, and redeem it; deliver me because of my enemies” (Psalm 69:16-18).

In this passage, you must substitute “demonic power” for “enemies.” Your real enemy is Satan who hates your continued hunger for a closer walk with the Lord.

• • Here is a very specific word for you personally. Yes, a number of people will receive this same word in my message here, but the Holy Spirit has a way of applying God’s Word in different ways to many believers.

Go to Psalm 145. Before you read it, pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to you directly in a verse or two. I know the Lord spoke to my heart that you are going to be edified in Psalm 145.

(Verse 14 is one that has been pinpointed to me, but the Spirit may pinpoint others to you.)

May God give you much of the Holy Ghost’s power in order to resist the devil and put him to flight.

Sometimes our aspirations are extremely high. A follower of Jesus should have very high goals, a very high sense of the promises coming true. Often our realities are in a low place, however, where our aspirations seem impossible to achieve. What happens if there’s this huge gap between the two?

Maybe your aspirations are similar to mine. I want to be engaged in a deep relationship with my wife. I want my four kids to be brilliant, loving, following Jesus, being successful in life and loving their neighbors as themselves. I want to wake up every early morning to seek the Lord. These are my high aspirations.

My reality, however, sometimes is “Man, I’ve just disappointed my wife. I just got cranky at my neighbor. I just overate. I just slept until 10:00 a.m. because I pushed the snooze button 100 times.” I believe that most people want a different life than the one they’re living, but they grow discouraged because they never achieve their dreams.

After a long season of hardships, you start to see a breakthrough. You feel hopeful that things will change for the better; then all of a sudden, you’re back in your old patterns. You start seeing some victory, then the victory seems lost. Or perhaps you seem to be overcoming, but then you’re being overwhelmed and dragged under by the current of life. You feel like you’re on this roller-coaster of ups and downs because you’re being disappointed and not ultimately achieving the things that God has for you.

There’s this vast gulf between the dream you’ve hoped for and the reality of where your life is currently. Now when we’re disappointed or discouraged, we could just lower our aspirations. We could stop dreaming or praying for certain things because we’ve been hurt so many times.

We should have high expectations, though, about the things that God has promised us or said to us. If we’ve been wounded in the past and are struggling to pursue God’s calls, remember that we’re continually healing. This is a journey we’re on all of life. We should strive for clarity about what God has called us to; we should examine our expectations and see if they’re self-serving or a thing God is calling us to or placed on our hearts. Where he guides, he provides.

When I meditate on Psalms 71, I immediately think of my wife Chantal. For several decades, I saw Chantal call her mother and father several times every week. She visited them regularly and surrounded them with care, staying with them until their final breath. She has always been a role model for me when it comes to caring for parents in their challenges and end-of-life pain.

I really believe that this is our duty. I would even dare to insist that this is part of our calling as a church. With the fall in birth rates, our government systems are no longer able to respond adequately to the growing needs of the elderly. This is why we have chosen to build a church that is sensitive to the heart of God for our most vulnerable population. We honor them, love them, support them, care for them and ensure that they are involved with us in the work of God. Our lives and families are enriched by their presence and influence.

Did you know that God himself is committed to sustaining and carrying us in our old age? “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:3-4, NIV).

I dream of seeing our families in turn embody this heart of compassion towards the elderly. I dream of seeing parents protect their children who then become adults who in turn protect their parents. I dream of seeing people who understand not only the needs of their young children but also those of their own parents.

The biblical declaration “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (see Joshua 24:15) is not limited to just me. It is an inclusive and intergenerational biblical call where together we declare, “I, my children, my parents, my grandparents, we will all serve the Lord!”

This week, show care for an elderly person in your family or circle. As you do so, reflect on specific and intentional commitments you could make to embody the heart and command of God in “Honor your father and mother” (see Exodus 20:12).

^{Claude Houde is the lead pastor of Eglise Nouvelle Vie (New Life Church) in Montreal, Canada. Under his leadership New Life Church has grown from a handful of people to more than 3500 in a part of Canada with few successful Protestant churches.}