“I remember my afflictions and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet, this I call to mind and therefore I have hope. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:19-23 (NIV)

Ever have one of those days, weeks, months or years where you felt your world was crumbling around you? Very recently, I was having a particular hard day. I had not slept well the night before due to some unsettling medical news my husband received. I woke up late, there were urgent emails from work colleagues, and my phone was ringing before I could even get the sleep out of my eyes.

It felt like all the walls were closing in around me. Before long, I was in tears. Then, out of nowhere, a friend and dear prayer warrior sent me a text message with only a link to the Christian song, “Battle Belongs” by Phil Wickham. The song starts out…. “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, I fight on my knees – Oh God, the battle belongs to You!”

Wow! The Holy Spirit moved through my friend to let me know that God was on my side and was here for me. My friend had no idea about my husband’s medical news or that my day was crumbling around me. But God knew I needed a reminder that He is faithful, that He is there for me, that he keeps his promises. I just needed to be faithful, and turn to the Lord in prayer, and to turn my battle over to Him. Nothing stands against the power of our God!

There are so many examples in the Bible of God’s faithfulness; Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Hannah, Esther, the apostle Paul and many more. These people all went through some pretty tough times and God was always with them.

When our lives get hard or we mess up, God is still there loving us. We need to reciprocate that love and faithfulness by being obedient to God and living the faithful life.

Prayer: Thank you Lord 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.

Denise Bailey
FUMC Bridgeport