The Battle For Souls.... "My God, You Light Up My Darkness"

The battle for the souls of my children rages fierce!  My heart quakes and I reel with horror at the things some of them do and the things they say.  Where in the world did they pick these things up?  We purposely sheltered them. Chose not to have television in our home, Sought to keep them away from evil influences, taught them the truth of the Bible and modeled for them a love for Jesus and His word.  Yet here from within our own home and their own hearts sin bubbles up and overflows. I point to the kingdom of God, to the joy of a clear relationship with Jesus, trying desperately to convince them of the beauty of a life lived in the LIGHT, but in their mad dash after the world and it's glitz they are not listening. They spiral out of control ruining relationships around them. I am helpless to change their hearts and they are unwilling to let Him. "I've hit the bottom" one son says, and I ask, "What are you waiting for?"  "I don't know..." he answers as he continues his downward spiral. I've prayed for these children daily for years, their spiritual welfare has been my whole life focus. We search our own hearts for where we've gone wrong - confessing anything brought to mind. In my pain and despair I beg the LORD for comfort from His Word and He gives me Psalm 18.  I have read it and reread it finding strength and sustenance in His protection and victory!  Following are some excerpts from the New Living Translation:  


 I love you, LORD; you are my strength.  The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.  He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold.  I will call on the LORD, who is worthy of praise,...the floods of destruction swept over me.  ...But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help.  He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears.  ...The brilliance of his presence broke through the clouds... He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He delivered me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me.  They attacked me at a moment when I was weakest, but the LORD upheld me.  He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.  The LORD rewarded me for doing right; he compensated me because of my innocence.  For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not turned from my God to follow evil.  For all his laws are constantly before me; I have never abandoned his principles.  ...To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.  To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile.  You rescue those who are humble , but you humiliate the proud.  Lord you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness.  In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.  As for God, his way is perfect.  All the LORD's promises prove true.  He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.  ...You have given me the shield of your salvation.  Your right hand supports me; your gentleness has made me great.  You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.  ...The LORD lives! Blessed be my rock!  May the God of my salvation be exalted!