Take the Strain

Take the strain.

I’m taking the strain.

This is not a tug of war, for I have already won!

The enemy pulls against you, trying to topple you over. But it is his dying breath. He lies there on the ground with a fatal wound.

Grasping at your foot. He clings to it with the last vestiges of his weakening strength.

Stand your ground, hold fast to the promise. You need not wrestle with him, or struggle to get free. Just wait upon me. For his strength is fading, and is about to fade away completely.

As he breathes his last, his hand will bring release, freedom to move again. He has no hold on you!

Psalms 18:30-40 As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him. For who is God except the Lord? Or who is the Rock save our God, The God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect? He makes my feet like hinds’ feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble]; He sets me securely upon my high places. He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand has held me up; Your gentleness and condescension have made me great. You have given plenty of room for my steps under me, that my feet would not slip. I pursued my enemies and overtook them; neither did I turn again till they were consumed. I smote them so that they were not able to rise; they fell wounded under my feet. For You have girded me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me and caused to bow down those who rose up against me. You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.

I hear the sound of movement, a symphony of praise, the crescendo of joyful sound. A lullaby of peace and prosperity. The sound of graceful truth. A graceful movement. Dancing on ice, but soft and light movement. Light on your feet like a dancer, barely touching the ground. Be full with grace, be graceful.

Much joy is coming, and will not tarry. Sound the trumpet, lift your voice in triumph. The sword of the Lord is here, the victory is at hand, is nearby, is close at hand.

Isaiah 30:18-19 And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! O people who dwell in Zion at Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.

Lift up your voice, lift up your hands, prepare ye the way of the Lord. For His way is perfect and beyond all understanding!

The enemy has fallen, dead strewn across the ground, defeated on the left and the right. And you shall stand on the back of your enemy. Take an elevated view, and elevated position, for the enemy has become a footstool for your feet, that you may rise higher. Stand in victory amidst defeat. For you are not defeated, you are not dead, you stand upon the bodies of your enemy!

Psalms 18:46-49 The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted, The God Who avenges me and subdues peoples under me, Who delivers me from my enemies; yes, You lift me up above those who rise up against me; You deliver me from the man of violence. Therefore will I give thanks and extol You, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to Your name.