The Lord will fight for you ~ you need only be still

Today I watched the Beth Moore Session 1 dvd (since Karis so graciously lent it to me) and since I missed it because I was stormed in tight on Monday night when the Bible Study was taking place. So, this morning, I watched it - and well, I love being taught through Beth Moore - so let me tell you, if this is any indication of the next 10 weeks to come, then I am in for an adventure in the Word!

After, I decided I better get to work on my homework. (I did not want to go into week two without having watched the DVD, which means I am a little behind in my homework.) And as I turned to Week 2, Day 1 - my eyes were taken to the verse highlighted on the side of the workbook... "the LORD will fight for you, you need only be still." Exodus 14: 13-15

And then, later in the day 1 material, I read and then copied the following (from Beth Moore) : "What enemy are you battling today? First, invite GOD to come between you and your enemy. Second, invite Him to "open the eyes of your heart" and Third, Count on Jesus - He never fails."

You know - this was one of those "a-ha" moments... as I have been working through stuff still during this past week. And, into the week, I had a couple women "pour" God's wisdom into my life through the words He gave them to speak. And so, I have been working through some stuff that I have wanted to "put to rest" so to speak.

Beth uses the word enemy when she askes "what enemy are you battling today?" At first I thought that perhaps the use of the word enemy was a bit strong. So I decided to look it up (see the definition from brainyquote.com below)

Enemy:

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One hostile to another; one who hates, and desires or attempts the injury of, another; a foe; an adversary; as, an enemy of or to a person; an enemy to truth, or to falsehood.

Now - my mom always told me never to use the word "hate" in association with people. The Word of God actually talks about that too...

I think the word HATE is strong in relationship to people. However, that being said - we can "hate" something that is happening, or "hate" something that has been done or "hate" something that went wrong, or "hate" something that keeps pulling us down (like a craving to something bad). So in some cases the word hate is okay. I see that the enemy can be an "enemy to truth" as well. (yes, I am wandering here aren't I).

Back to Beth - her final statements made me thing. What enemy am I battling today...

Okay, honesty time - I am battling a few (and one of them is cravings to all things bad for me!) So, applying Beth's words - she encourages me to invite God between me and my enemy(ies). And then to ask Him to open the eyes of my heart! I have thought of this phrase before.

We also have sung a song about this - about "opening the eyes of my heart."

Open the eyes of my heart Lord,

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see you.

I want to see you

To see you high and lifted up

Shining in the light of your Glory

Pour out your power and love

As we sing holy, holy, holy.

I know that in asking God to open the eyes of my heart - I am asking him to illuminate the situation so that I can have an understanding of how to work through it and give it over to Him, so that in all things - He will have the glory for what transpires. I know God does not want me to allow any enemy to triumph over me!! And then as Beth says - I need to count on Jesus - as He never fails.

So often I look at myself and get into the "loser mentality" when I look at things I have just not been able to claim victory in - or looked at things that continue to drag me down, or to look at things that I have "given up to God" and yet somehow continue to reclaim to try to do it on my own.

Beth Moore has underscored for me again today that I need to trust fully in God - my EL SHADDAI - because HE offers me HIS complete sufficiency.

Oh, Lord God - thank you for this reminder, and Lord - YOU ARE SUFFICIENT in my life! Help me to give you the enemies that I am battling today (and have battled for a while). Help me to see them for what they are - and to see that it is in your strength and power that you open my eyes to the truth of each and every situation that involves people or things, past or present. Lord - thank you for YOUR truth which is alive and living in me. Lord - you never fail! Thank you.

PS. This blog comes out of thoughts on the study A WOMAN'S HEART ~ GOD'S HOME (which is a study on the tabernacle) and would highly recommend it to any and all women who want to get to know God in a closer way! Actually, would highly recommend any bible study by Beth Moore. I have never met a woman who knew the Word of God like she does. God is richly blessing women (and men) through her. And she gives all the glory to God!