ROOTED IN FAITH

There are times when you may experience higher levels of spiritual warfare. Perhaps the Lord is leading you closer towards a particular purpose or calling. Perhaps he has been giving you increased revelation and insight, and the enemy is not happy with this. Whatever the reason, spiritual warfare over a period of time can become wearying. How do we endure it, remaining rooted in faith, in alignment with the Lord, and continuing to be on fire for whatever the Lord is calling you to? Psalms 51:10-13 holds the keys. King David was certainly a mighty warrior in physical battle, and he also knew intimately the battles we face in the spirit. Let’s delve into the four keys he spoke about in each verse.

[1] ‘Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.’ Psalms 51:10

Pray that the Lord would expose and uproot anything within you that is not of Him. Ask Him to uproot anything within you that gives invitation to the kingdom of darkness; anything in you that satisfies the flesh rather than the Holy Spirit. Surrender your heart fully to the Lord. That means being willing and hungry for Him to expose the areas you may not even realise were holding you back and giving the enemy a foothold to access your life. Are you carrying a spirit of pride? Even false humility is a spirit of pride – these things can be subtle. That is why it is important to ask the Lord to do a work and expose these things to you. Do not carry a spirit of offence in the process! Could there be a spirit of unforgiveness? A spirit of religion? A spirit of self-condemnation? A spirit of stagnancy? Seek total deliverance from the areas the enemy is using to gain access to oppress you and to sabotage the Lord’s purpose for your life. Create in me a pure heart, O God…

[2] ‘Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.’ Psalms 51:11

While surrendering in obedience to Christ, you will hear His voice more clearly. By reading His Word, you will get to know the character of God so that you can discern His voice and not be deceived or confused by the (often louder) voices of the enemy and of your own desires. Seek His presence always. Be in constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Through living by the principle of verse 10, and also constantly renewing your heart and mind to become increasingly Christ-like, your obedience will help ensure close relationship with the Lord. This enables greater access to hearing His voice clearly and frequently in whatever way He communicates with you. This could be through His Word, through prophecy, through visions, through dreams, with His audible voice, etc. ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will’ Romans 12:2. Obedience to Him, clears away confusion and increases your discernment. Access to His voice gives you invaluable keys to victory in Him. His voice gives you warnings so that your prayer life and spiritual warfare can be targeted strategically and accurately. It gives you confirmation and revelation. It gives you direction. It gives you knowledge and insight of what is happening in the spiritual realm, regardless of how things look in the natural, and shows you how to move forward in alignment with God’s will and purpose for your life. This is why David so desperately did not want to lose his relationship with God and in dwelling of the Holy Spirit.

[3] ‘Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me’ Psalms 51:12

Keeping hungry for more of God, having joy of your salvation and what that means for your life in eternity, and maintaining a willing and obedient spirit, will sustain you through persecution, spiritual warfare, and schemes of the enemy to try to sabotage your purpose in Christ. That hunger will fuel you and sustain you in your purpose, despite the challenges you face along the way. Pray for a fresh filling of hunger when the narrow path becomes a weary one to travel.

[4] ‘Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you’ Psalms 51:13

Having followed all the above, you will be fueled and equipped to battle on the front line for the advancement of the kingdom of Heaven. In verse 13, David affirms this. You will be able to endure and have strength to lead people to Christ. You will be ready to be used as a vessel of the Lord to bring healing and deliverance from demonic oppression to His people, and to shatter the power of principalities and deities who have taken dominion over territories which should be taken back for the Lord. ‘I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you’ Luke 10:19

So – with a pure heart, a steadfast spirit, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a hunger and fire to advance God’s kingdom, along with the joy of salvation, He will equip you to be used mightily for His glory. Praise God!