SCRIPTURE: Psalm 129
“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.” (Psalm 129:2)
I am reminded of Paul’s words: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
As difficult as life gets, we are not beaten.
I call this ‘resurrection thinking’, or rising up over our troubles.
It is a faith perspective that refuses to be beaten, even by the worse experiences.
I need this right now, not for the same reasons, but to overcome a defeatist attitude.
I do not want to be beaten by evil, I want to overcome it, to rise up over it.
The Psalmist is honest, but he finishes his prayer with a curse, of sorts.
“May those who pass by not say to them, ‘The blessing of the Lord be on you; we bless you in the name of the Lord.'” (Psalm 129:8)
I can appreciate his pain and struggle, but to rise up against evil, it is better to bless and not curse.
Or as Paul says, to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).
Jesus showed us His resurrection thinking when He forgave those who were crucifying Him.
Today I choose to say: ‘though my defeatist thoughts oppress me, they will not gain the victory over me!’
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to rise up over my negative thoughts, and help me to see how good is the best antidote to evil or hardship.