MICAH 7:8-9: “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The LORD will be a light to me. 9 I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness.”

OBSERVATION: Have you ever heard the inner whisper of the enemy of our souls saying to you – “loser”, “failure”, “unworthy”? “How can God still love you?” “How can God still use you?” “You will never amount to anything.” “You will never achieve your dreams.” “You are rushing toward the cliff and there is no one to save you now.” “Where is your God?”

All of these whispers are the lies of the enemy. They are focused at moving our eyes off the Nature, Power, and Faithfulness of God and onto our problems, circumstances, personal weaknesses, and failures. If we move our focus away from Jesus and the promises of His Word – like Peter, we will sink. However, if we focus on the promises and the faithfulness of God – we will stand.

Part of our spiritual armor is the breastplate of righteousness. This guards our heart. This is our assurance that we stand securely in His righteousness and the completed work of Christ on the Cross. We have the assurance that we are His and that He is for us, not against us. Granted, The Lord will bring correction in our lives, like a loving parent brings correction to their children. Yet, this correction is never to tear us down – but it is always to strengthen and restore us. When we fall – He will raise us up! When we struggle in the darkness – He will be our light! When we fail and are corrected – He will forgive, restore and instruct us in the way of righteousness! Jesus is our Advocate. He stands before the Father on our behalf – and against the enemy of our souls.

So this morning I have a choice. What voice will I listen to? The voice of doubt, discouragement, disapproval – or – the voice of the Father, the voice of my Great Shepherd, the still small voice of the Spirit? If God is for us – who can be against us?! Lord, help me to rise up in full assurance of faith and declare – “He will bring me forth to the light, I will see His righteousness.” In Jesus Name!