oppression

It might be the heat, maybe hormones, or the summertime lack of structure… but I am feeling so fragile lately! I have found myself in tears several times in the last few days. Trying to shop within a tight budget. Attempting to get everyone out the door on time. Working on making healthy decisions about food and exercise, yet facing my laziness and addiction to food. Praying and praying for others without the results that I expect.  I have been feeling this week like I am swimming upstream… to no avail!

I read this verse two days ago:  “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.” Psalm 129:2

I could so relate to the first part that I missed the second part. The Lord pointed out the most important word in that verse.  BUT.

He reminded me that no matter how much oppression I feel in a moment, it is not the end. Oppression is simply the pressure that I feel when I am waiting for God to rescue me.  And He will rescue me, no doubt! Whatever is pressing down on me will not have the victory over me.

No matter how many obstacles I face, no matter how many disappointments, betrayals, losses, set-backs, or failures I encounter… these things will not have the victory over me. Even if addictions and weaknesses are sabotaging my freedom and success… they will not have the victory over me. Just because I feel the heaviness and the oppression does not mean that I have lost. It’s not over. The Lord is fighting for me. He is carrying me. He has a plan for me.

The two verses that follow Psalm 129:2 give us more insight:

“Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.  But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”

Here we see that most important word again. BUT. We may feel as though we are being plowed over in our lives, but the Lord is righteous. He always does what is right and good. He will set me free. I can be fully convinced of that fact. He loves me and He is coming to my rescue……