It had been a rough couple of weeks. My husband and I found ourselves in the midst of a difficult situation. We had taken a stand against something that was not right, and we became very unpopular as a result. The people who disagreed with us quickly went into attack mode. Through social media, phone calls, emails and letters, they made their disgust of us known. Relentlessly, they attacked our character and tried to ruin our reputation.
It was in the midst of this that I cried out to God. The people who were now slandering us and trying to discredit our integrity were once people I called friends. I wept as I recalled dinners at their house, game nights, intimate conversations. Were these really the same people I shared laughs with just a few short weeks ago?
I desperately needed to hear from God that day. My soul longed for words of comfort and peace from Him as well as wisdom regarding our next steps.
I’ve always found it fascinating how God speaks to His people. For some, He uses dreams and visions; for others, He uses words and Scripture. For me, it has always been the latter. Sometimes He brings to mind song lyrics or verses of Scripture I’ve memorized. At other times, He refers to a specific chapter and verse of Scripture that I must look up because it is unfamiliar. Those are probably my favorite times, and that is what I longed for from God on this particular day.
I had taken the day off work solely to read the Bible, pray and seek God. I committed to do nothing else that day until I heard from the Lord. As I prayed and asked God to speak, I had a very specific request. I wanted to hear something directly from Him — a “new” word, not one I’d memorized in the past. I wanted a fresh anointing from Him, a new message spoken to my soul.
What immediately came to mind was Psalm 139.
Now, I know we should be wowed any time the all-powerful God who created the universe speaks to us, but I didn’t feel that way. I actually felt disappointed. My conversation with Him went something like this.
“But, Lord, I already know that verse,” I whined. “That’s the fearfully and wonderfully made verse. ‘You knit me together in my mother’s womb’ and all that. I want You to tell me something new. I want a verse that applies directly to my situation.”
His response? “Psalm 139.”
Great, thanks! I thought sarcastically. As I opened my Bible and began to read the familiar verses, I felt His prompting again.
“Read it out loud,” He instructed.
“Seriously? That’s kind of weird, but okay.”
I awkwardly read the familiar verses out loud.
Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
You understand my thoughts from far away.
You observe my travels and my rest;
You are aware of all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue,
You know all about it, Lord.
I didn’t get very far before I realized what God was up to. As I reached verse 5, it seemed to literally jump off the page at me. I burst into tears as I read it out loud.
You have encircled me. You have placed Your hand on me.
Somehow, during all the times I’d read the words of Psalm 139, I’d never noticed that verse before. When I read it out loud it was as if God sat next to me on my couch in my living room, and proclaimed those words over me. It didn’t matter how much the battle around me was raging, or how many enemies were surrounding my husband and I, God had encircled me. God, the all-powerful King, the One who rules over all, He had placed His hand on me. He would be my protection and my defender.
Once that thought began to sink in, I found myself experiencing the awe that the psalmist must have felt as he penned the next verse:
This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.
In that moment, I was able to release my worry and anxiety to Him. For the first time in weeks, I felt peace. We still had some difficult weeks to get through, but I knew we would not be doing it alone. And, ultimately, even the outcome didn’t matter. God would be our shield and our refuge through whatever we encountered in the following days.
What battle are you facing? Marriage difficulties? A rebellious child? Trouble at work? A terminal illness? Rest assured that God sees what you are going through, and He has not left you to do battle on your own. In fact, He already has you surrounded with His love.
The next time you feel defeated, or face an impossible situation, fix your eyes on Christ and hear His promise, “I have encircled you. I have My hand upon you.” You can rest in the fact that He has the situation under control.
Belinda Elliott 
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