Getting our Priorities Right
by Paul Griffin
What do you do when facing difficulties? Do you find something or someone to blame? Do you become full of self-pity, protesting aloud, “Why is it always me?” Do you try to fix things in your own strength? I know that tends to be my usual default response. Do you pray and ask God to sort out the mess?
In today’s verse King David declares, ‘O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me’ (Psalm 7:1). Yes, David does indeed ask God to intervene and rescue him, but it’s very important to note what he does before that. David starts by saying that he takes refuge in God. He chooses to put his trust in God. He chooses to come under God’s protection.
King David gets his priorities right. He understands that he needs to be in that place of refuge and security so that God can save and deliver him. He understands that obedience to the instructions that God gives in His word, is key to being able to enter into that place of protection. He declares in verses 3-5 that, if he has done wrong, then his enemies have the right to pursue him and trample him into the ground.
The Apostle James recognises the need to get our priorities right. He writes ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’ (James 4:7). James confirms that we have the power and authority to resist the enemy and tell him to get out of our lives. However, the order in which we do this is important. It begins with us ‘submitting to God’. The starting point, for experiencing victory in our lives over the enemy, is a willingness to be obedient to God. Such obedience enables us to abide in that place of refuge and protection. From that sheltered place we can command freedom from the attacks and onslaught of the enemy and enjoy the abundant life that Jesus came to make available to us.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You are my refuge. Lord help me to submit to You in every area of my life. Thank You that, as I submit to You, I can resist the enemy and know Your healing and deliverance in my life.’ Amen.
Paul Griffin Paul spent 20 years working as a chemical engineer for an oil company in South Africa, the Middle East and Japan prior to going to Bible College. Paul and his wife Liz have been involved with Ellel since 1991 and are associate teachers as well as being authors of the books ‘Anger …How do you Handle it?’ and ‘Hope and Healing for the Abused.’
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