A Ramble from a Rumble
“The weapon may be formed
But it won't prosper
When the darkness falls it won't prevail
'Cause the God I serve knows only how to triumph
My God will never fail
Oh, My God will never fail
I'm gonna see a victory
I'm gonna see a victory
For the battle belongs to you Lord
I'm gonna see a victory
I'm gonna see a victory
For the battle belongs to you Lord
There's power in the mighty name of Jesus
Every war he wages He will win
I'm not backing down from any giant
'Cause, I know how this story ends”
This song.
Whew.
It may be my new anthem.
It’s on my heart and tongue constantly.
Whether the battle be personal (my health—physical and mental) or bigger, I know that I will see a victory.
But—
You know what else I know?
His ways are not my ways.
And, sometimes that victory may not look how I think it should look.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:8-9
I even know—and have to remind myself—that there will probably be really dark, tough, gut-wrenching, heart-breaking days before I see that victory.
But, I have to remember that the battle—whatever it is—is not with flesh and blood.
The battle with my physical health—its also mental—and I cannot combat it alone. He is using my own self-loathing and self-disgust to teach me who I am in Him—and how He sees me. (Psalms 139) (Genesis 1:27)
The thorn in my side—let’s me know God is not done with me, yet. He is using the dark, deceptive, and the heart-wrenching to open my eyes to the darkness there is in me. He is using the heart-breaking and gut-wrenching to break my heart for what breaks His.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” -James 1:2-4
And it is all a beautiful mess—it is messy and it is ugly, but I know that He fighting the battle, even when I can’t. I know that He is taking every step with me. I know He is allowing and using this to teach me—to mold me—to draw me.
“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me,
but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and
spoke kindly to them.” —Genesis 50:19-21
Maybe its your health…mentally and/or physically
Maybe God has allowed someone in your life and you struggle HARD with this person in your life, but there is no victory in sight…
Maybe it’s fear…
Maybe it’s circumstantial…
Maybe it’s finances…
Maybe it’s a diagnosis…
Maybe it’s all or none of the above…
Maybe you’re like me and you have this idea—this idea of how your trial should be victorious. You have this picture perfect plan of just how you would do things to get to the victory. I am
Press into His word. He will not fail you. It may be messy and ugly and dark and heart-wrenching, but it will be worth it. He is worth it.
“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”—Revelation 2:10
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