This summer's women's Bible study at our church was on Psalm 23 with a book by Louie Giglio entitled DON'T GIVE THE ENEMY A SEAT AT YOUR TABLE. This, of course, is focused on the very special table "prepared before me in the presence of my enemies" as stated in v. 5. A table unique for God's people...in fact a table that is a great gift that we don't always treat with care. We allow people to sit with us there that distract us from the great work of God. That would be "the enemy of our souls"...and he "...seeks to kill and destroy" (John 10:10) and he seeks to destroy in us the work of God. And sometimes we let him in. He knows exactly how to work us especially in our fears.
A few months ago I was working on my computer when some pop-up alerts began to fill my screen, a voice started speaking telling me my computer was infected and I should call a number right away. I panicked...and out of fear called that number. This man - with a very calming voice - told me to install something - which I did - and he began working INSIDE my computer. My dear husband walked in and said to immediately hang up, which I did...and then Geek Squad (hooray) undid the damage later that was done. The point is I LET HIM IN!
This is what Louie Giglio says:
"We cannot stop the enemy from prowling around and seeking to destroy us. But we can refuse to allow him a seat at our table. We do this by locking our eyes on our King and locking on to what He says is true about us. We take him at His word and believe what He says about us."
One of the things I did after this study was to memorize these 6 verses and to focus on them one by one. Knowing God and His word is the only way to keep our focus on Him. Locking my eyes on the Lord helps me to keep from being distracted from feelings or emotions that get me off track. Vulnerability (caused by our feelings and not God's promises) leaves me wide open to attack and only "divine defense" will protect us. Be radically dependent upon His weapons and not our own self-sufficiency. Alistair Begg says to "...give up our arms of rebellion". Do we believe we have the power to control our own lives or do we "...grow in the grace...of our Lord Jesus" (our perfect Shepherd) and trust Him more every day to guide us..."for His name's sake" and not our own?
Giglio says "the steps we take in faith activate the power of the Spirit". Those are the steps I choose to take today. How about you?
For further study: Gen. 3:1-7, Ex. 14:14, Deu. 31:8, Isaiah 54:17, Luke 4:1-13, Eph. 1:19-20, Phil. 4:13, 2 Tim. 3:12-17, 1 Peter 5:8-9, 1 John 4:4
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Holly
