As I’ve been writing this series – The Lies we Believe – over and over again the Lord has revealed Bible verses that show His heart and how He is our great rescuer.
I was talking to a friend after finishing the last 2 posts and I heard God say that I needed to write a post just speaking truth. I know throughout this series I’ve quoted lots of passages, filled with truth, but this post is dedicated to all of you – from the Lord – because you need to know how much He longs for you to find freedom in Him, how His heart is breaking for you in your pain, and how much He really really loves you.
I know it can be painful to confront the lies and the ungodly beliefs we’ve held onto for all these years but instead of running from the pain, we need to embrace is for what it is.
We must feel the pain to heal the pain. Remember: the pain isn’t the enemy. Pain is the indicator that brokenness exists. Pain is the reminder that the real enemy is trying to take us out and bring us down by keeping us stuck in broken places. Pain is the gift that motivates us to fight with brave tenacity and fierce determination knowing there’s healing on the other side.” – Lysa TerKeurst
So with that, let’s confront the pain, the lies, our ungodly beliefs, with truth.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8 (ESV)
“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 1 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NLT)
“You are the God who answers prayer; all of humanity comes before you with their requests. Though we are overcome by our many sins, your sacrifice covers over them all.” Psalm 65:1-2 (tPt)
“In mercy you have seen my troubles and you have cared for me; even during this crisis in my soul I will be radiant with joy, filled with praise for your love and mercy. You have kept me from being conquered by my enemy; you broke open the way to bring me to freedom.” Psalm 31:7-8 (tPt)
“He then reached down from Heaven, all the way from the sky to the sea. He reached down into my darkness to rescue me! He took me out of my calamity and chaos and drew me to Himself, taking me from the depths of my despair! Even though I was helpless in the hands of my hateful, strong enemy, You were good to deliver me. When I was at my weakest, my enemies attacked – but the Lord held on to me. His love broke open the way and He brought me into a beautiful place. He rescued me – because His delight is in me!” Psalm 18:16-19 (tPt)
“He listened to all the groaning of His people longing to be free and set loose the sons of death to experience life.” Psalm 103:20 (tPt)
“For the Lord is always good and ready to receive you. He’s so loving that it will amaze you – so kind that it will astound you! And He is famous for His faithfulness toward all. Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for He keeps His promises to every generation.” Psalm 100:5 (tPt)
“For the Lord will never walk away from His cherished ones, nor would He forsake His chosen ones who belong to Him.” Psalm 94:14 (tPt)
“Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil launched against you. For God will keep you safe and secure; they won’t lay a hand on you! God sends angels with special order to protect you wherever you go, defending you from all harm. If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you and keep you from stumbling! You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling everyone of them beneath your feet! For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: Because you have delighted in me as my great lover, I will greatly protect you. I will set you in a high place, safe and secure before my face. I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will find and feel my presence even in your time of pressure and trouble. I will be your glorious Hero and give you a feast! You will be satisfied with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!” Psalm 91:6, 11-16 (tPt)
“The glory of your splendor is our strength, and your marvelous favor makes us even stronger, lifting us even higher! You are our King, the Holiest One of all; your wrap-around presence is our protection.” Psalm 89:17-18 (tPt)
“He alone is my Safe Place; His wrap-around presence always protects me. For He is my Champion Defender; there’s no risk of failure with God. So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me? God’s glory is all round me! His wrap-around presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my Hero, and my life-giving strength.” Psalm 62:2, 7 (tPt)
This phrase “your wrap-around presence” keeps popping up at me every time I open the Psalms. It’s such a beautiful picture of God’s love for us and that He wraps Himself all around us, protecting us from the enemy, who is set out to destroy us.
Your righteousness is unmovable, just like the mighty mountains. Your judgements are as full of wisdom as the oceans are full of water. Your tender care and kindness leave no on forgotten, not a man nor even a mouse. O God, how extravagant is your cherishing love! All mankind can find a hiding place under the shadow of your wings. All may drink of the anointing from the abundance of your house! All may drink their fill from the delightful springs of Eden. To know you is to experience a Flowing Fountain, drinking your life, springing up to satisfy. In the light of your holiness we receive the light of revelation. Lord keep pouring out your unfailing love on those who are near you. Release more of your blessings to those who are loyal to you. Psalm 36:6-10 (tPt)
“I cried to God in my distress and He answered me! He freed me from all my fears! Gaze upon Him, join your life with His, and joy will come. Your face will glisten with glory. You will never wear that shame-face again. When I had nothing – desperate and defeated, I cried out to the Lord and He heard me, bringing His miracle-deliverance when I needed it most. The angels stooped down to listen as I prayed, encircling me, empowering me, and showing me how to escape. They will do this for everyone who fears God.” Psalm 34:4-7 (tPt)
When you’re wrapped up in pain it’s easy to feel like God is so far away, like He has forgotten you, abandoned you. But God is not like our earthly parents and friends, He will never abandon you, He is always fighting for you, even when it doesn’t feel like it. I love that His wrap-around presence surrounds us, even when we aren’t aware of it. I love that all it takes is us crying out to Him, asking Him to free us and then He sends an army of angels to empower us, and show us how to escape.
These are the truths. Truth taken straight from His word, there for our benefit. Truth for us to use to fight the enemy. Truth exposing the enemy’s lies. Truth that will set us free. Step 1 is believing the truth of God’s word, Step 2 is breaking free of our ungodly beliefs and giving them to the Lord, Step 3 is living the truth, allowing it to fill you and take over every fiber of your mind, body and spirit.
You are not alone, you are not meant to fight the lies of the enemy on your own but you must ask the Lord to help you. He’s not going to force truth on you, the way Satan manipulates us to believe his lies, but He’s also not going to do something we haven’t asked Him to do. We have to ask Him to help us, we have to want freedom, we have to want to be set free. It’s a process that’s not always easy but it will be worth it, I promise.
You have been given a great gift, and that gift is your life. This life was never intended to just be endured or survived.” – Erwin McManus
Great verses! These are so encouraging.
Thank you Mimi. 🙂