Think on This...

So, today, I got a little sucked into a bit of historical information, and my experience around that is the source for today's post.

I'd heard in a sermon recently that, apparently, Haitian leaders in the late 1700s had made a rather well documented pact with the devil, promising Haiti into Satan's hands for 200 years if he (and other voodoo "gods") would deliver freedom from the French.

Rather than getting into all the ins and outs of the story (and the various debates surrounding it), I will stay focused on my topic for today.

I started reading about this, and then DID get into all the details and debates and stories that intertwine contemporary Haitian history and politics with a pact made just over 200 years ago, and so on and so forth. My intention in doing this research was not only simple self-edification, but also to equip myself for prayer against the evil things plaguing the greatly-struggling Haiti of today.

However, as a creepy feeling of dis-ease began to settle over me, I realized that the graphic gore and description of the associated rituals, voodoo practices and beliefs had begun to saturate my mind as I was reading.

I had to stop.

I put away and closed down each source of information, and I turned to the best weapons I know to wield: prayer & scripture.

Most immediate in my mind was this verse, which I find to be perfectly appropriate:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

There are verses to reference and prayers to be said for Haiti as well, regardless of its history, but first and foremost, I had to secure my own head-space. It seems like the perfect "in" for a spiritual attack, if you ask me.

So, here is what I used to fill my head; it's one of my favorites. I will close with this passage; let it fill you as you read. As you'll see, I found it to be equally appropriate for both my own filling and as a promise for ALL of those who turn their hearts to the Lord, in Haiti or anywhere else!

Isaiah 61 (NIV)

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

And you will be called priests of the LORD,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.

"For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the LORD has blessed."

I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.