Fighting for truth

 Psalm 120:1–7 (ESV):  

1  In my distress I called to the Lord, 

and he answered me. 

 2  Deliver me, O Lord, 

from lying lips, 

from a deceitful tongue. 

 3  What shall be given to you, 

and what more shall be done to you, 

you deceitful tongue? 

 4  A warrior’s sharp arrows, 

with glowing coals of the broom tree! 

 5  Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, 

that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! 

 6  Too long have I had my dwelling 

among those who hate peace. 

 7  I am for peace, 

but when I speak, they are for war! 

When you encounter times of distress it is easy to become overwhelmed and think that the whole world is against you. It can seem that everywhere you turn there are enemies and deceit. When you’re in such a time of hardship, everything can seem difficult, and it can feel like you are on your own. It is easy to focus on the pain, discomfort and difficulty and not see anything else. You feel as if you are surrounded by; ‘lying lips’, ‘sharp arrows’, ‘glowing coals’, and ‘those who hate peace’, they are everywhere you look! When your attention is captured by negativity and hardship that can be all you see. Then it is easy to be overwhelmed, anxious and angry. When these emotions swamp you, the fight can seem futile. This is especially so when it feels like you are the only one standing up for what is right. A bearer of truth and peace encircled by lies, chaos and violence. It is exhausting continuing to attempt to bring peace and restoration when, ‘i speak, they are for war’. Every time you open your mouth to bring some kind of resolution, you are shot down by sharp arrows and glowing coals, a battle erupts and you can wonder; is it worth the fight? What is the point, i am not making a difference? 

When you feel like that, go back to the start of the psalm, ‘in my distress i called to the Lord, and he answered me’. Think about that. You are not fighting alone, no matter how it feels. When you stand up for righteousness, for the things God cares about, when you stand on truth and desire peace, you have God on your side! So the best thing to consider is not the difficulty, but what does God want you to do in this situation? Whatever He tells you, do it. You are one of His children, living amongst a people who do not acknowledge Him, so it will be tough at times. You will have to stand up and stand out from the crowd by displaying God's kingdom values, like not lying, or trying to enforce your views through terror. You belong to a different kingdom, so ask for God's strength to help you show it, and remind yourself that God sees, cares for, and is with you (v1). What greater power and influence can you have than knowing God is present and answering you?

Take time to think about previous battles, whether they are yours, someone else's, or biblical accounts - what happened then?! I am sure that you will see that the people of God were oppressed, battling, finding life difficult, until God answered in a tangible way. He stepped in, rescued, and sorted it out. Therefore, keep living life obedient to God. Don’t be swayed or misdirected by others, keep being the truth teller and the peace bringer, keep standing for what you know is right, and keep asking God to intervene. The Lord Your God will prevail in the battles you face. For what are lying lips, glowing coals, sharp arrows, deceitful tongues or war bringers in front of Almighty God?!