Psalm 123
Paul experienced much opposition which he referred to as buffetings - a thorn in the flesh. Three times he asked the Lord to take it away from him but God said, "My grace is sufficient for you." Unlike the Psalmist, Paul was not just inside the door. If you are crying to God to take away the scorn and the contempt that other people pour on you, listen to what He is saying: "My grace is sufficient." As you trust the Lord and His grace, the flesh will become less sensitive to the opposing voices. Through the Spirit you will be mortifying the flesh and its deeds. You will be moving closer to the Lord, until you get so close to Him that you will not hear those voices any more. They will still be there, but it will no longer be of any consequence to you. This is the discipline that the David was going through. All the mocking and jeering was going on around Him but he had to keep his eyes on the Lord. "When the road is rough and steep, fix your eyes upon Jesus."

These are the disciplines to be learnt when we first came to the Lord. If we go away from Him then, when we return to Him, we have to go back through them again. In Hebrews 10 v 32 it points out: "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions; partly whilst you were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions..." They went through that too. It was hard for them at first but eventually they learned that it was a matter of "looking to Jesus" (Hebrews 12). There is no pill for post-illumination depression; just fix your eyes upon Jesus. Do not turn around and run the other way. Do not give up, but look stedfastly to Jesus. Remember, the Lord promises: draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.

Maybe you have never gone astray, but all your Christian experience has been lived 'just inside the door.' Today God is calling you to a closer communion with Him. Come right into His presence. Keep your eyes on Him. You will not be a religious nutcase, but you will know fulness of life in Him. "I hear Thy welcome voice that calls me now to Thee."