“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” – Isaiah 41:10
Approximately 12 years ago I was going through a very difficult time in my life where I felt as if the world was crumbling around me. I suffered a ruptured ectopic pregnancy which nearly killed me, my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer, and I was laid off from my job of 18 years. I felt as if all the walls were closing in around me. I spent sleepless nights and many long hours of crying.
But one afternoon, while at the hospital with my mother, out of nowhere, I received a text message from a good friend of mine with the link to the Christian song, “Battle Belongs,” by Phil Wickham. As I listened to the song, it spoke to my innermost soul. The first verses of the song say, “When all I see is my battle, You see my victory. When all I see is a mountain, You see a mountain move. As I walk through the shadow, Your love surrounds me. So, when I fight, fight on my knees- oh, God, the battle belongs to You!” Even now, while I am writing this I have goosebumps, as I remember that precise moment when I received the text.
God’s timing is always perfect and He is forever faithful! He used my friend to send me a text, at the precise moment that I needed it, to remind me that He was looking out for me and that I was not alone. From that moment, I was strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit. I still had to deal with many difficult situations but I turned my battles over to God and the weight of all that I was carrying seemed so much less. In listening to this song over and over I was reminded that I was not alone and that it was I, who needed to be faithful in turning to the Lord in prayer, for He will fight my battles. NOTHING can stand against the power of our God!
12 years later, this song continues to speak to me and it reminds me that when life gets hard, or we mess up, God is still faithfully there loving us and carrying us. As His children and disciples, we are called to reciprocate that love and faithfulness by being obedient to God and being faithful to Him.
Lord, I come to you with thanksgiving for loving us unconditionally and never leaving us. Help us to remember that we are not alone and that we do not have to control it all. Let us turn our battles over to you, Lord. May we live a life of faithfulness and obedience to You, God. Amen.
Nancy Martinez is the Administrative Assistant to the District Superintendent (AADS) for the Capital and Fairway Districts.