Heavy-hearted and under siege, we hunker down and hide, fearful of the onslaught from the enemy intent on our destruction. At the very least, he plots to capture us in his cavern of discouragement by providing a hundred reasons why self-pity is the reasonable choice at present. We must retaliate with the wisdom found in the wellspring of the Word. Our Lord fought him with truth; we flourish if we imitate our Savior’s example and do battle in his name.

We reinforce our trembling hearts with the stalwart reminder that “our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8). We must recall that the Lord is “on our side” (Psalm 124:1) and will prevent us from being “swallowed alive” (Psalm 124:3) by any flood of accusations or torrential raging waters triggered against us. His name is fuel for the fight; his character is fire by night and cloud cover from the burning rays at noon.

We call him our Shepherd, and with staff in hand he wards off wolves that approach with wicked schemes to huff and puff and blow our houses down. We experience him as the Great Physician with the capacity to heal layers deep and treat us with the fortifying tonic of his Word. He is called Light because he permeates every drop of darkness that would encroach on our future and all underhanded attempts to block our view of him.

He is the Lion of Judah with massive power to overcome our difficulties; his invincible strength accompanies us on the winding journeys we each take. As sovereign King, he overrules and undertakes; every troubling thought may be taken captive in the throne room of grace and mercy. We find him as our refuge to hide behind when we are hounded or harassed. When we cry for help, our heavenly Father rescues us with the strength and certainty of a loving parent on ready alert around the clock and the calendar.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). Towering above everything that concerns us, our Lord safely ensures our deliverance even if we limp toward him badly bruised and worn. Since he created heaven and earth all by himself, we can be fully confident that time and again, as we choose to run to him for help, he will faithfully orchestrate all the details of our own world as well.

Elizabeth Mitchell serves at Boca Raton Community Church along with her husband Pastor Bill Mitchell, and is part of the faculty of WorldLead, mentoring and training leaders worldwide. Visit her blog at Journeyfortheheart.com.