The Defense Rests - Karen Huffaker

Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! Psalm 43:1 ESV

If you’ve ever had to defend yourself for something you didn’t do, it’s an emotional experience. You know you are innocent, but convincing the world is often not easy. The more public it is, the harder it is to deal with and the more isolation it can bring.

One of the saddest accusations I’ve known about was a beloved pastor who was blamed for something untrue. He loved his congregation so much. After decades of faithful service, it broke his heart for others to speak about him in such a way. The new pastor rallied to his defense and was his biggest supporter. Thankfully, everything quieted down and dissipated. But the pain still lingered.

Damaging lies are told daily and everywhere across all walks of life. Whether about students, teachers, politicians, law enforcement, neighbors, employees, or even victims of crimes, lies often have devastating consequences. Once the damage occurs, undoing it proves almost impossible. We can’t put an egg back into its shell.

Thankfully, Jesus is our saving defense. We can be secure in Him no matter what may come. He knows the truth and will bring it to light in due season. God will bring about justice in the end. Vengeance belongs to Him.

We can rest easy, knowing everything will be fully known one day—no need to wonder and worry. We can seek the Lord’s strength and peace. He will be a friend when we feel others have abandoned us. God’s Word brings comfort and peace that helps to endure difficult times and betrayals. God will make all things right and beautiful in His time.  

How can you learn to trust God when others have wronged you? 

Tweetable: Who do you rely on to defend you? 

Don't forget to add your comments below.  

Karen Huffaker is a freelance Christian writer. She has taught children’s Sunday school and single mom’s Bible studies and written poetry. She is from the Deep South and loves reading Christian books, devotionals, genealogy adventures, fishing, and all things family. She is also passionate about her grandchildren’s sporting events. 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.

Lying to Myself - Martin Wiles

Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. Psalm 119:29 NLT

I was telling myself a big one—lying to myself—and the trouble was, I believed it.

My lie began about the time I turned fourteen. It went something like this: “You don’t need school.” If I didn’t need school, I didn’t need to study either. So I did little of it. After I started driving, another lie popped up. If I didn’t need school, why go? Every opportunity I got, I ditched class.

By the time I reached the twelfth grade, the lie had grown. School wasn’t necessary, studying wasn’t essential, and attending was optional. Why go at all? So I quit. I found a full-time job at a grocery store but had to lie about being out of school to get it. After several months, they cut my position. I finally decided to tell myself the truth: I needed an education.

Knowing God’s Word is a privilege. One which keeps us from lying to ourselves. When we know God’s Word, we won’t lie by telling ourselves we’re okay and don’t need God. Instead, we’ll believe the verse that reads, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Neither will we lie by telling ourselves we’ll live forever. We might as well live it up without worrying about whom we’re hurting. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) squashes that lie.

If we lie to ourselves by believing there’s no God we’re accountable to, we read, “The fool has said in his heart there is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

And if we imagine we can get to heaven by any route we choose, we find, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except by me (Jesus)” (John 14:6).

Lies are always harmful, but the ones affecting our present happiness and eternal destiny are more so. Others may lie to and about us. We may lie to ourselves. But God will never lie. His Word contains unchanging truth that doesn’t vary by time or culture.

Feed on the truth from God’s Word.

Prayer: Father, thank You that we can always depend on You to tell us the truth about sin and ourselves. 

Tweetable: Are you lying to yourself? 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines. 

Meandering Monday - God Can’t Lie - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Meandering Monday, where we take a trip back to an earlier post and enjoy it again.

These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence. Hebrews 6:18 NLT

He spread the cell phone bill before her on the table.

Earlier, he had perused the calls. He had his suspicions, and as he looked over the calls, his misgivings were confirmed. Now came the unpleasant duty of confronting her. On one day, an out-of-town location appeared. He remembered the day. She had left early, telling him and the kids she was going to work. They believed her, even though they had reason to doubt her. Sure enough, she had lied once again. It had become her pattern. When questioned, she said, “I was at work.” He produced the bill. She held her course. Only after an hour of lawyer-type interrogation did she finally admit what he and the children already knew. 

God won’t do what the unfaithful wife did. He made a promise to Abraham and sealed it with an oath. He would bless and prosper him and give him many descendants. Since God can’t lie, the promise was as sure as the sun rising the next morning. Abraham lived to see a portion of the promise fulfilled, and I’m witnessing another portion of it presently.

God’s promises can be trusted because they are unchanging and trustworthy. They must be because they reflect his nature. He doesn’t change—although it may appear he does—and he never goes back on his word. What he says, he will do.

God promises forgiveness and salvation to all who ask. Since he’s allowed his Son to pay for humanity’s sins, all that remains is for us to reach out for it. When we ask, our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west. They’re cast into the bottom of the sea…into God’s forgetfulness. He promises abundant life in the present—a quality of life we could never experience otherwise. And even better is the promise of eternal life in heaven. A place that is indescribably beautiful and fulfilling. A place where ultimate healing in all areas of life will be experienced.

Have you taken God at his word?

Prayer: Thank You, Father, that we can depend on Your promises. 

Tweetable: Are you a truth-teller? 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.

Flashback Friday - Facing the Truth - Martin Wiles

Facing the Truth

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 NLT

The old adage is true: “The truth hurts.” Not only is hearing the truth difficult but telling and admitting it are also. 

Frank Serpico was one of those rare individuals that was willing to face and tell the truth in spite of the risks involved. He was a New York City policeman who was well acquainted with the graft and illegal acts of his cohorts. Failing to expose the truth would make him a part of the corruption. Telling the truth would invite their ostracism and scorn and perhaps put his life at risk. He chose to tell the truth—yet not without cost. His revelation helped clean up the city police force, but his personal and professional life suffered heavily. Death threats, faltering health, and eventually leaving the force were all consequences. Read more...

Tweetable: Have you faced the ultimate truth? 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.

Throwback Tuesday - Can I Know the Truth? - Martin Wiles

 Can I Know the Truth?

Series: Hey God…I Have a Question

“What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.” John 18:38 NLT

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but truth isn’t. 

What is truth? Is there truth? Where can I find it? Is truth for me truth for everyone? Does it change? All questions people wrangle with and reach different conclusions. Relativism makes truth relative, or changeable. Individual relativism allows the individual to set the parameters. Cultural relativism lets each culture define truth. Imagine the missionary’s surprise when, after telling a native tribe about Judas betraying Jesus, he noticed they praised Judas instead of seeing his error. In their culture, betrayal was an honorable trait. Read more...

Tweetable: Do you know the truth? 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.