S8P2 – The journey of Psalm 143: the valley

Psalm 143:3-4
The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ and have not experienced a valley as David describes in these verses, just wait. As Christians, we can rest assured that troubles will come our way. Here, David describes how his enemy has oppressed him, feeling the pressure of being pursued by one who desires to destroy him. This is a feeling we can expect to experience as the enemy tries to destroy us because of our faith in God and our work to advance His kingdom.

David, however, goes beyond describing the physical pressure he feels and gives us a glimpse into the spiritual pressure under which he stands. His spirit is faint, and his heart is dismayed. Is this not the enemy’s goal when we are in the valley? Physical oppression is only a vehicle for spiritual destruction. Our enemy is not after bodies but after souls. He hopes that a bruised body will lead to a broken spirit. Through David’s prayer we gain insight into the foundation of every one of the enemy’s schemes. His many methods all work to the same end.

Understanding what to expect during our valley times is key to getting through them. David’s prayer gives us invaluable insight into the shadowy battle. Our hope and solace is that God takes what the enemy uses for our bad and uses it for our good. The valley is dark but precious. Do not fear entering it. Look forward to the greater version of yourself who will emerge on the other side. Father, as we walk through our valleys, give us wisdom to recognize the enemy’s schemes and the hope that You will be faithful to work these times for our good.