Psalm 18 verses 29-30 (NIV)
With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
Revelation chapter 3 verse 7
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
Those who know me really well might be surprised at this next comment, it might even raise a smile. I watch people on these modern climbing walls and I would actually love to have a wee go at trying to climb one! Now I know with my disability any sort of climbing adventure is not within my capabilities. (Apart from a never to be repeated climb into the volcano on the Greek island of Nisyros, many moons ago, which is a long story.) But at a climbing wall those ascending have safety ropes, a harness and safety padding, so its potentially achievable, but not without support.
David reminds us in this psalm that if we are walking on the path that God has for us, we may face opposition in the form of criticism and opposition from others which seems to come against us like an army advancing, whilst at times we may find an obstacle in our path which seems as insurmountable as a physical wall. With God’s help, David tells us that we can over come these things, even if it would be physically impossible for us to do in our own strength, and indeed we shouldn’t even try.
However, the verse in Revelation reminds me that if we are going down a path which is not God’s plan for us, then He may Himself prevent us from doing so, and it may seem as though there is an obstacle in our path. In such instances we should certainly not even try to overcome it.
That’s why we need to be really certain about the path we take and make sure that we closely follow the guidance of God to make sure whether we scale the wall or turn around and go back on the right path.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that I can face any obstacles that hinder Your plans for my life, if I follow Your directions, but help me not to try and take any shortcuts that seem alright, but are in fact a way of taking me of the right road. In such instances I need to be aware whether You have closed the door. Thank You that I need never worry about opposition if I am being guided by the Holy Spirit, who will give me the strength and ability to face it. Amen.