God is really at work in my life, giving me lots of opportunities to put into practice things that I teach, such as offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving in all things.

The drama with my angry renter continues as he is calling in government agencies to inspect in an attempt to cause trouble for me and potentially destroy my sources of income. And the latest step is that he had his wife take out a restraining order on me, which means I can’t even access parts of my own property! Humanly speaking things are really going downhill.

But spiritually speaking, as the battle warms up, Ephesians 6 becomes the plan. I know that my true foe is not the renter, but Satan: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers.” And that I can “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” And I stand against his schemes with praise, prayer and persistence in doing what is right.

So I turn to scripture, especially Psalm 43: ‘Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked.”

Today I wrote the following in my journal: “I praise you, Lord God, that you are my high tower, my salvation, my rock in whom I can trust, for my hope comes from you (Psalm 62:5). I praise you that you have a plan in this situation and will work things out. I thank you for all that you will do for me, in me, through me here. Glorify yourself through delivering me from the evil one and from these people doing evil.

I thank you for sending out your light and truth, for leading me to worship you, my God, my joy and my delight (Psalm 43:3). I choose to praise you for allowing all this, for you have a plan to use it for good. Therefore I choose to find my rest in you alone, for you are the King of glory, the God of goodness and the Lord of love.

I choose not to be downcast, not to be disturbed, but to put my hope in you, Lord, for I shall yet praise you because you will come through for me!(Psalm 43:5). “I will call upon the Lord in the day of my trouble, for He will answer me.” (Psalm 86:7)

As it says in Psalm 23, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life….” Right now I can’t see any goodness or mercy, but later as I look back I will see it, for you, Heavenly Father, are faithful.

Whatever the outcome here, God will use it for good: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.

I would appreciate prayers for the situation, for God’s protection and that He would bring the best out of it. Pray also for the salvation of my unhappy renter, may God bless him with insight, understanding and surrender.