“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down—this leaning wall, this tottering fence? They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah 

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah

 

"Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done” (Psalm 62: 1-12, NIV).

 

I was so grateful to read that scripture; it completely put my soul at rest. It is refreshing to know that I don’t have to turn to any other thing when I’m going through, besides God. He is the source of my refreshing, He is the source of my peace, and He is my refuge and the source of my rest.

 

There was a time when I didn’t count on Him for my rest. There was a time when I sought my refuge in other things; things that didn’t give me rest, in fact they did the complete opposite. They wreaked havoc in my life and in my soul, and they caused me grief beyond explanation.

 

Years ago as I rode past a mini mall, I noticed a sign on a liquor store. It read, “Wine and Spirits.” I thought to myself, “WOW! They think they’re only getting a buzz, but they don’t have a clue that the buzz comes with unwanted spirits?”

 

It made me think back on a time when I used other vices as coping mechanisms to drown my sorrows. At the time I didn’t think that there was anything wrong with it, until I had a dream. In the dream, there was a tug of war going on. God had me by my arms, and He was pulling me up, while demons had me by my ankles and they were trying to pull me down. I finally woke up; not so much from the dream, but from the delusion that what I was doing was okay.

 

God had been warning me all along, trying to get me to see the danger in turning back to wicked, sinful vices for comfort or entertainment. I didn’t really get it, until I had that dream. I realized then that I was opening the door to demonic oppression, and I needed to stop immediately; and I did. I stumbled a bit, but I finally was able to lay down those wrong thoughts that lead to those wrong behaviors. Now when those desires try to rise up in me, I recall that dream, and I submit to God and resist the devil and he flees. Praise God!!!

 

I know now that when I need comfort, I can turn to God who freely and abundantly provides me with all that I need. He has sent me the Holy Spirit as my comforter, so I don’t need to rely on any fake representatives that try to rob me of my peace, and rest; I have the real deal.

 

In our lives there are many things that we do or have done to cope with the pressures and disappointments of life. And in the process, we’ve opened the door to all sorts of troubles. But our God has given us His grace and mercy to glean from. Everything we need is found in His love; all we have to do is receive it.

 

Be comforted my brothers and sisters and find rest in God’s Word and in His Spirit. They will fill you to the fullness of joy. Don’t forget there is a war going on, but we’ve got the victory in Christ Jesus. Put on the full amour of God (See Ephesians 6:10-18), and instead of opening the doors to unwanted behaviors and evil spirits; let us open the door to the Holy Spirit who gives us the victory in this life. 

 

Prayer:

Father, when I am weak, thank You for making me strong. When I am disobedient, thank You for correcting me. When I am afraid, thank You for comforting me. When I am walking in Your will, thank You for helping me. And when I am fruitful and successful, thank You for making it possible. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.