psalm 124

My friend, Lindsey and I have been doing a Beth Moore Study about the "Psalms of Ascent". I have been getting so much out of it and have felt not only the presence of God, but of Satan's power as well. Satan is real, and I think when we fail to acknowledge his ploys, we forget the damage he can do when left unchecked. I told Lindsey that its ironic that its so simple to accept God's grace and in essence Christianity is so simple.. yet in following Christ it is complicated. The closer I get to God.. the tighter I feel satan trying to grasp my ankles and whisper lies to me.
Thank goodness my God is big.
He has no patience with demons and sends them away from His daughter...thats me.
And that gives me hope, that even when I struggle to find a reason for my life.. that God has the reason already figured out. *phew*

One of my favorite parts of the study is when Lindsey and I get to re-write the psalm we had been studying. This is so inspiring to not only read the psalm but to make it very personal and apply it to my own life. I hope, one day, to re-write them all.. Here is one that I would like to share. It would be more of an impact if you read the real psalm first, though. This goes along with what I was talking about earlier.. with satan trying to win me over after I chose Jesus.

Psalm 124

Where would I be without my protector?
Where would YOU be, thou believers?

Gossip, whispers, hurtful words, passing glances
would have ripped my heart and left me bleeding
alongside humanity's trodden road.

The angry winds would have torn at my soul
until I was left naked and alone...
vulnerable for the wolves to devour.

But God shields me like a warm, thick blanket
bringing warmth and peace to my shaking bones
and bandages my heart with His power.

He fights off the demons that circle my head and taunt
ridiculous accusations.
He barricades the door to my heart to any real damage
and when I feel the slightest pain he holds me in arms
that felt pain of crucifixion before I was even born.