Dealing with the minefields

They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. – Psalm 57.6-7

David speaks here about how the enemy sets up nets to entrap him. We don’t see that kind of thing as much any more, but I think we could get the image here by thinking about a minefield. Our minefield is mined with thoughts and temptations and diversions and trials and tests. It may be something to tempt us to turn from the things of God. It could be bad news about health or finances or politics.

How do we handle those minefields? How do we avoid the traps? How do we manoeuvre the perils of life?

David said that the way he dealt with his traps was to have a steadfast heart and sing and give praise to God.

God challenges us with this same kind of steadfastness in the New Testament. We are told to not let the mines get us down. Paul wrote that though we are buffeted about by trials we will not lose heart. He wrote that we are to be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in doing God’s work. He encouraged us not to be weary in well doing.

The mines are always going to be in our minefields. All we can do is trust the Lord to be our guide, plug away, and go on singing with confidence in Him.