“Blessed is the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight” Psalm 144:1. 

I can relate to the Psalmist David on so many levels. As I read Psalm 143, the Lord showed me David’s struggles and how he overcame the battle of his soul. There is a battle ground is in our mind, it is our runaway thoughts; those thoughts that tell us we are defeated by the enemy or our circumstances. When Jesus died on the cross, He said, “It is finished.” Our salvation had been accomplished and Satan was defeated.  If we believe this, why do we always talk about the enemy? I believe it is because we have not won the battle with the thoughts in our soul (mind, will, emotions). 

David said in Psalm 143:3-5, “For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. (4)Therefore my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. (5) I remember the days of old;”  

Then in a split second David is reminded of all the victories of the past (days of old). At that point he came to his senses and said, “I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.” He remembers how he was protected by the mighty hand of God.

When David thinks on the loving-kindness of God, you can see his thoughts turn completely around. Instead of allowing his soul (mind, will, emotions) to continue to spiraling downward like a runaway elevator, he gains control. A runaway elevator makes you feel helpless as it falls downward. When David felt himself falling downward, he simply reached out and pushed the STOP button on the elevator. By pushing one button he has gained control of his runaway soul. Then he said, “Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know thy way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul to thee. The key to victory over tormenting thoughts in your mind is to meditate on the loving-kindness of the Lord, on the victories and not on the defeats.

An interesting note: In the next chapter; Psalm 144:1 David says, “Blessed is the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight.” I am not sure what David is referring to when he says the Lord taught his fingers to fight, but it sure seems to fit the picture I had of a runaway elevator. Learn how to use your finger to fight the enemy.  Reach out and push the button on the elevator that says “STOP” when you feel yourself falling downward in hopelessness and despair. Fight the battles of your soul by saying,” In the name of the Jesus, Stop!” The runaway thoughts in your mind must stop and your soul will be lifted up.
Cleanse My thoughts
 

Dear Heavenly Father,

I want to stand before You with clean hands and pure heart. I want the thoughts of my heart to be pure so the works of my hands to be pleasing in Your sight. 

 I am not at peace in many areas of my life and I know this lack of peace indicates I am not completely where I need to be, trusting in You. 

Search me Lord and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts, and reveal any wicked ways of thinking. Reveal all the lies, false beliefs, and thoughts that lead me astray. I realize when I think ______________it leads me into doubt, fear and unbelief. Lord, I want to take this thought captive. I believe in Your goodness, truth and faithfulness.  

Lord, I also ask You to search through all the secret chambers of my heart and reveal any unresolved pain and un-forgiveness that would keep me doubting and questioning your faithfulness.  

And Lord, I ask You to reveal sinful habits that I have not regarded as sin, those habits that have been practiced in my family and me that lead me to think I am self-sufficient.  

Lord, cleanse every thought that leads me to fear doubt and unbelief. You have not given me a spirit of fear but You have given me power, love and a sound mind.  I will use this power You have given me and from this day forward I will not dwell on fear I will take every thought captive and trust in You. 

In Jesus' name, Amen.