Stand

There is an ongoing theme throughout the Psalms of David that I find to be very interesting: enemies. David, who was described as a man after God's heart, was a king who had to make some significant decisions. As a leader of a nation/large group of people, he was bound to have people who disagreed. We have had presidents who have been assassinated because people did not agree with the decisions or beliefs that they stood on. David was standing on the Word of God, the Truth, and he did not want to be wavered. These writings often talk about these enemies and how he needed God to help him stand in the face of adversity. (Psalm 27)
Sometimes I make decisions and I feel like no one is on my side. I look for approval ... I'll fight for it, but it just doesn't happen. Maybe God needs me to look only to Him for approval. Maybe He needs me to make a decision because it's what I believe in and not because everyone else thinks it's okay. Being in this position is painful and at times it can break your heart, but I still know I have the sweet peace of Jesus. David said that his mother and father could turn his back on him, but God would still be there. I'd rather have Jesus than the approval of the world ... or even family.
When I read in the Bible that the world hates me for Christ's sake, I just figured I'd be hated by old friends who still drink alcohol or people who think I'm closed minded because I don't support gay marriage. I could handle that. It wasn't fun having people disagree with me, but at least I didn't have to deal with that in my daily life. It's when it comes closer to home, even with my fellow Christians, that the true decisions are made.
It's simple: Will I stay in my zone of comfort or will I follow Jesus?

Another interesting thing about David's Psalms was that although he acknowledged his enemies and their wrongdoing, he was always asking God to give him a clean heart and to teach him His ways. He wasn't pious or full of himself because he was doing the Lord's will. (Or like a Pharisee; legalistic.) He knew he still had a job to do as a Christian and that there was still a lot of work for God to do within him. He sinned like everyone else. However, he wanted his heart to be pure and to be right. I have that desire as well. I know that in the face of adversity, I'd rather be catty and come off with some clever comeback to hurt people's feelings. I'd rather follow MY feelings and do things the way my emotions tell me. (And don't get me wrong, I have had my share of snarky-ness.) However, God has different desires for me. I need to keep my heart pure to be able to see how He would want me to handle situations ... and not sin.

Lastly, David did sin. He sinned with a beautiful woman (I'm sure I don't need to give any more details there) and dealt with serious consequences as a result. However, when he decided to confess his sin and was forgiven, he continued on in God's service. We'll all fall short and find ourselves in the wrong, especially in situations of adversity. (Adversity can be temptation, too, which is obviously what David experienced with the woman.) However, we need to acknowledge where we've been wrong, make it right, and move on.

I know I'm writing this as if I know what I am talking about and like it is the easiest thing in the world to overcome. No, actually I am pretty angry and heartbroken. I also know that as a young Christian, this is only the beginning of the persecution that I will face for my beliefs. As much as I hate the way it feels, I'm okay. I'd rather have Jesus.

Though no one join me, still I will follow
No turning back, no turning back

At the end of Psalm 27, David says to wait upon the Lord. & That's what I am doing. There is a part of me that would rather handle things my own way, but I know that's just not going to be enough. Wait. & Look up.

I hope things like this that I write are a blessing to someone. I write as I learn and I experience things, so all of this is ever present in my mind. I just wanted to share what God has been showing me. It's amazing what He can do when you really get into His Word.