The Battle is the Lord's

Psalm 55:18 - He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me...

A message from 2009. I don't remember what the battle was but what I said is still true. A good reminder.

Ah, finally I have come to a point where I have happily, peacefully and gratefully allowed myself to let go of something that was burdening me, continually upsetting me and causing irritation. The peace comes from the Lord. I know that I have been fighting a battle that only God can win and I've been trying on my own to do His work. It's both awful and joyful when you finally realize you've been subconsciously arguing with God, or just plain ignoring the still small voice in your spirit.

This battle isn't against a physical enemy. It's a spiritual battle, one that the devil would just as soon see me continue to fight. Why do we do this to ourselves? We sometimes know all along we're fighting against Him and probably causing more harm to a situation than good. But you know what? I love the feeling of freedom and peace when you just let it go. It's a great "aha" moment. There was no struggle but a form of resignation that was not uncomfortable at all. Again, the peace comes from the Lord. I can say that once you've tasted that kind of peace and you know what happened, you hope it will happen more frequently in other areas of life!

When you know...when you sense that nagging feeling...and you are in the midst of a troubled spirit and a, or some, circumstance(s) is causing you grief...consider with the Lord what you should do. I think I can fairly say that when I let go I gave up control and that's just fine. It wasn't doing me much good anyway. 

The Bible talks about kicking against the goads. Boy, if this isn't a lesson in action. You just can't know how thrilled I am to have allowed the Lord to just plunk into my spirit this decision to let God do for me what I cannot. And I humbly and so ecstatically thank God for the lesson. I really do come from some stubborn material. Now He can get in there while I have gotten myself out of His way and let Him do His work in His time, not mine. Who knows, the results might come even faster if He handles a situation...ya think?

Who knows us better? Who knows the beginning from the end? Who's the One who puts all the pieces of the puzzle into place for results to take place? Job asked the question: "Can anyone teach God knowledge, since He judges those on high?" Another question in Romans 11:34 asks, "For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?" What right do I have to think that I can outdo Him in anything? My only question to Him today is, "Why on earth did it take so long?!" And a request as well, Don't ever let me be so stubborn again.

I'm glad God has patience. He needs a lot of patience with me, I fear. I seem to be a slow learner in some respects. I'm just grateful that He hasn't given up on me and keeps pushing me to do better. And this comes at a time when I've been wondering if He's been doing anything at all in me. It's good to know that when we allow God to fight our battles, big or small, He will be victorious and so will we...without our help, surprisingly!!! Just remember, it doesn't have to be a physical battle, but mental or spiritual. Whatever kind of battle, the Lord is there for you if you allow Him.

I especially like this because it's so true:

Exodus 14:14 - The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.

Great Things

Psalm ‭31:19‬ ‭- Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!

Our Lord longs to do great things with each of us. All of creation is for His glory. He has always done great things for those who want Him to. When we submit to Him, give Him our lives, He can do great things in and through us too. It was His plan all along. Now we must seek Him for this.

We just had our floors buffed and coated. We needed help moving furniture. We have some association with Milwaukee Teen Challenge. This is a faith-based organization for men and women (not necessarily teens) who have abused use of mainly drugs or alcohol. It is a year long program where through the love of Christ they are taught discipline through the Word of God until they have recovered. For many, the power of God is undeniably successful. And they begin to see it and live it out.

So we had a group of four students in the program and Mark, the Dean of Men, remove the furniture one day and return a couple days later to replace it. When they were done this afternoon we all went out back on the deck to just enjoy the weather and chit chat. I asked Mark if these four guys were great testimonies. He said, "Yes, ma'am, they are." I did not ask for their testimonies, although it's an encouragement to hear them. Mark pointed to one guy and asked him to give a one minute testimony. And he had the other three do the same. 

The last young man had been the quietest of the bunch. Maybe he'd not been in the program as long. He began his touching testimony. He grew up in a great, church-going family environment. He said he was married to a beautiful wife and had three children. One day she left, leaving the children behind. It was devastating to him. He began drinking heavily. He became silent, turned his head so no one could see him and remained that way for a very long minute. He apologized and admitted he had never told anybody that. I'm assuming the part about his wife and family. Then continued his story about how his mother has been an encouragement in all this and is taking care of his children. I think he apologized again. 

Mark told him it was okay to feel like that. I chimed in that it is another step towards healing. It so reminds me of what Jesus said: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew‬ ‭11:28-29‬)  Jesus is a much better comfort than drugs or alcohol. 

Sometimes we carry burdens we really should let go of. We can shove them so deep within to put them out of our minds. But they never go away. We are told to face the struggle head on. It's all we can do. If we do it with the Lord, He will help us. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2Corinthians 4:16-18)  I think of the three men in the Bible who were thrown into the fire. Their professed faith in God alone saw them through. They came out of the fire unscathed without even an odor of smoke. And bystanders asked who the fourth person was...only three entered. Our God will be beside us in trials if we allow Him.

When we allow ourselves to unearth these hidden things buried so deep and go through the hurt to release them, we begin our healing. We confess our hurts to Him. We lighten our burden. And it's part of why He has given us Jesus. He has told us above to give Him the burden. But that means submitting to Him. 

I think God can do a great work in this young man. He might even have caused him to reveal this secret thing. I know from experience when we admit something a burden is lifted. It's like Jesus is right there ready to start healing. This is an amazing God we have. He can do great things in and through each of us when we give in to Him and give our burdens to Him. He fights our battles. He strengthens. He comforts. After the tears are shed we rest, an inexorable rest. We understand just what the peace that passes all understanding is. I'm praying that Jacob, this young man, will experience this. 

After the guys left I stopped to pray for them, for perseverance in their time with Teen Challenge and after. As I prayed, a scripture ran through my head. God is so faithful. He cares so much about each one of us, more than we can imagine. He will do this if we give our lives to Him, receive Him into our lives and hearts. It's all He wants. I pray Jacob will experience this. The scripture:

‭‭Joel‬ ‭2:25‬ ‭- So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten...