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“Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies.” Psalm 119:157

My sister, Faye, is an avid lover of animals.  She has been known to bring her car to a screeching halt so a squirrel or turtle can cross the road safely.  While that may be a bit extreme, we’ve probably all swerved to miss a leaping deer or debris on the road.  Strategically attempting to avoid an accident, we deviate from our course in the name of safety.

While swerving can definitely protect us when faced with unknown obstacles in our path, it’s never the right choice when it comes to God’s truth.  Turning aside to the left or right, moving away from or fleeing what we know is true never serves us well.

Real question is how does swerve evolve, especially when we thought we were grounded?

We’ve probably all claimed our determined stance when it comes to the wisdom of God’s word. Yet, every little compromise, every rationale, every moment of peer pressure has the potential to deviate us from His truth.  And the times when we find ourselves the most vulnerable are when we are under attack.

Satan is the great accuser, and he loves to create doubt and confusion.  Why?  Because he knows the power and truth found in God’s word.  He also knows the word of God is one of our greatest weapons against him; Jesus proved that when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness.  No brainer here – if Satan can get us to swerve away from God’s truth then he knows our effectiveness to share the gospel and grow in our faith fades as well.

I personally have never felt persecution for my faith like many of our brothers and sisters in the Lord on foreign soil.  Brave, bold and courageous followers of Jesus who lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel.  Yet, I do know the influence of emotional and physical attacks which can overwhelm us. Growing up during a time when my pastor was taking a strong stand against moral decline, I often was faced with teasing and ridicule from classmates in school. End result, I would go home feeling sad and defeated because of what I believed.

Fast forward to adulthood, I’ve battled the attacks of our enemy as he uses people and situations to manipulate his plans.  Generating disunity and divisions.  Attempting to discredit the character of our God.  Twisting solid truths into seemingly convincing wiser thoughts which can land us full of confusion and doubt.

Love the Psalmist’s words “I do not swerve from your testimonies.”  Unshakeable, unmovable.  A solid place to land in the face of persecution and adversity.  When accusations seek to slay us and what we believe, we can cling to the truths of God’s word – armed for battle against our enemy.  When our souls are overwhelmed and justice appears to fade into the night, we can trust our God to fight the battle for us.  Leaning on our God, combating our enemy with His words and standing strong positions us to win. And like the Psalmist, we too can proclaim “We are not swerving from your testimonies.”

“Father, fill our hearts with Your words so we are equipped to win the battles of this world without losing our faith and trust in You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life