Guard My Soul

"Guard my soul and deliver me;
Do not let me be ashamed, for
I take refuge in Thee." Psalm 25:20

In this Psalm David prayed for protection, guidance and pardon. As David believes, he speaks in his heart.

There are times when my earthly enemies are minute compared to the enemies of my soul. Granted, I may not think of it as such passing through a time of suffering; but the battle for the peace of my soul is the greater battle. It is the battleground on which Satan tries to win.

Derek Prince in his book, "Entering The Presence of God" describes the soul. "The soul is the ego - it is the attribute that says "I will," or "I will not," "I think," or "I do not think." It is usually identified as being made of three areas: the will, the intellect, and the emotion. These areas are expressed as three simple statements: "I will," " I think," and "I feel."

It is my spirit that rules my soul. When I am in a battle I can be sure the Holy Spirit is guiding me to victory but still, I must endure. I must learn from the experiences because learning leads to maturity. Hebrews 5: 12-14 I immerse myself in God's Word to find what He is teaching me. I am taught about myself, my situation; but more importantly I learn about my God. It is essential for my spirit to constantly commune with the Lord. When my will, my mind, and my emotions are attacked I don't know any other solution but God!

I am reminded of Ephesians 6:12. There is the unseen foe for which I need the whole armor of God Ephesians 6:14-17. Yet,if I think I may accomplish the battle on my own I am sorely mistaken. God is the only one who views the spirit world against which the battle is fought. It is in His strength the battle is won.

David, in his supplication was aware God knew more of the battle he was involved in, than David knew. Many times it is difficult for me to verbalize what I am experiencing. I can talk for hours and still not formulate what my problem may be. Yet, I can rest assured God knows. Romans 8:26,27

David pleads with God, "Do not let me be ashamed." In other words, "Don't let me be found doubting Your word." Psalm 119:49 "Don't let me be found with unbelief; do not let me be ashamed by allowing my enemies to triumph over me.Psalm 25:2 Don't let me entertain the thoughts self-will throws my way. Please don't let me fail You with thoughts unbecoming and sinful. I want to be faithful to my God. Let me fall to my knees and cry for Your understanding and enlightment. Let me never use my own means to deal with the enemies of my soul, or to solve my problems. This I know, will cause me shame!

In Psalm 86: 2 "Preserve my soul for I am holy; You are my God: save Your servant who trusts in You." David was reminding God of this one fact: He did not worship the many gods as other nations and cultures of his time had done. He worshipped the true God; the God of Israel; because of this David was favored of the Lord. God would preserve the soul of His servant. David then continues, "Show me a sign for good; that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me." Though David's physical enemies sought his life, the prize in the spirit world was his soul. 2 Samuel 21:15 David's soul was ruled by the Spirit of God. Psalm 41 :9-11 David prayed for help; God answered. In doing so, God foiled the plans of David's enemies. The enemies were ashamed because their desire to destroy David never came to pass.

There are idols of time, money, and hobbies just a few I will mention. Anything I put before, or in place of God is an idol. I must be attentive to filling my life with "little gods" which destroy my intimate relationship with the Lord. For instance, there was a time when I would spend all day with my camera going about taking photographs. Yet, when faced with situations in my life I could not cope with, my camera couldn't help me. I learned it is better to stay prepared for battle, than to be in the heat of war and not know what to do. I still use my camera, but God comes first.

I can't begin to count the times when God worked on my behalf in battles seen and unseen. I am presently reading through the Bible for this year. I am in the book of Job. Each time I read what Job experienced, I think of the first chapter where Satan appears before God. Satan accuses God of favoring Job. God allows Satan to test Job's loyalty. Job 2:3-7

Job's body, soul and spirit are attacked. And if that wasn't enough Job had to deal with his three friends who insisted he was suffering because he committed some great sin which angered God. So therefore God was causing all Job's pain. Talk about battles! Yet, Job comes through the battle and is rewarded. Job 42: 7,10,12

For whatever reason God allows me to be tested, and a battle ensues, I think of Job. I admire his optimisim in suffering. "Look, I go forward and He is not there, and backward but I cannot behold Him; when He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the right hand I cannot see Him. But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me I shall come forth as gold" Job 23:8-10. God can use my enemies to tests my heart and my mind."I the LORD, search the heart I test the mind, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." Jeremiah 17:10 Will I be faithful to what I know to be true of God? Even though He may test me, I have nothing to fear because His Word tells me, "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger abounding in mercy....As father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. Psalm 103: 8, 13
My answer to battles and testings? God's Word and prayer. Staying close to Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to accomplish the will and purpose of God in my life. Yielding to His instruction and teaching for God has promised, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel and watch over you." Psalm 32:8 I have no fear,because God is in control of everything that concerns me. He will guard my soul because He has chosen me. John 15:16

One thing I know, whatever I face, it is in God I take refuge. He will never desert me, or leave me on my own. Hebrews 13:5. I will never be ashamed for trusting the Lord God. Psalm 27:14. But thou, O LORD, are a shield about me; Your my glory and the lifter of my head Psalm 3:3

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com