Listening to What is True

by Rev. Susan Britton

Read

Philippians 4:8-9

Reflect

It seems the events of the past few weeks have created a roller-coaster of emotions.  As birds begin to chirp and hints of warming weather are in the breezes, there is the excited anticipation of spring.  I am thoroughly enjoying this opportunity to laugh and talk with my teenagers who are usually too busy to be home… yet, I also know this isn’t how it’s supposed to be.  Even the good things feel somehow not quite right. Sometimes there are little whispers of uncertainty. Sometimes they are louder than whispers.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says that we have been given the power to take captive those sneaky little whispers and make them obedient to Christ.  So when those whispers begin to get the better of me, I name them. I say them out loud and imagine them in a bubble that I lift up to God.  Then God and I begin to speak God’s truth to them.

• The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. -Psalm 18:2
• God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. -Psalm 46:1
• From eternity to eternity I am God.  No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. -Isaiah 43:13

One morning last week, when those little whispers were being particularly loud, the words to Raise a Hallelujah by Jonathan & Melissa Helser began going through my head.

In spite of it still being Lent, I googled the song and unburied those Hallelujahs a little early:

I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies

I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief

I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody

I raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me 

I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm

Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar

Up from the ashes, hope will arise

Death is defeated, the King is alive 

I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me

I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee

I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery

I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me

In this way, those whispers are silenced. Not because of the power of positive thinking, but because the God behind all of those promises is true – and the lies of the whispers are not. Just like darkness cannot exist in the presence of light, neither can lies exist in the presence of God’s truth.  When we speak truth to lies, they evaporate. It is then that we are able to think about that which is true and noble and worthy of praise, and we are empowered to live and love in the peace of Christ.

Hold on to what is true because God is with us.  Now and always.

I will never leave you or abandon you. -Hebrews 13:5

What lie do you need to speak God’s truth to today?

Respond

Dear Father, sometimes it is so easy to listen to those lies.  Help me to name them for what they are and give them to you. Fill my mind with your words of truth today. Amen.

Remember

What promise or truth has God affirmed for you today?

Comment below or use a journal to record how God is with you each day of this journey.