2 Samuel 21-23, Psalm 18, Romans 3
I read recently that doubt and fear are Satan’s best tools. If he can get you to doubt God’s goodness, God’s power, and God’s protection, he wins. Once doubt is in place, fear takes over. It’s a big victory.
Once our soul is given over to doubt and fear, life is perilous and hope is thin. Without God’s power, we have no refuge, no rock, no fortress and no shield. Without God’s goodness, we cannot be drawn from the many waters, or rescued from our strong enemy.
Do you want to know where fear and doubt show up for me? David, in the face of danger, is able to claim righteousness (v20). “According to the cleanliness of my hands,” he says, “God rewarded me. For, I have kept the ways of the Lord.”
But, what about me? I haven’t done a very good job keeping the ways of the Lord. I can’t claim righteousness like David did, nor am I one of God’s chosen like David was. How will I ever survive? Doubt and fear prevail. Satan is winning.
It only feels like Satan is winning. He is easily overpowered by the Truth. You see, its not the cleanliness of my hands that God measures nor is it my ability to keep the ways of the Lord. There is only one way to gain and maintain God’s goodness, power and protection; Jesus Christ. By proclaiming Him, we are made right with God. That means we are made righteous (Romans 3:22). What’s more, that promise is not reserved for “God’s chosen people.” Because of Christ, we are all chosen.
Once freed from the lies of the evil one, there is only one response. David got it right in Psalm 18, as he exclaimed
The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation!