No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn. (Isaiah 54:17 NKJV)
” No weapon formed against me shall prosper!” I declare this verse with determination while watering my bright yellow mums. As I give each vibrant plant a drink, my back pain intensifies. Spiritual warfare comes with publishing another book, but I’m ready to fight. One more flower to go, and I can go inside and rest on my heating pad. I’m no stranger to back pain, but suddenly I feel something unusual. A sharp pain shoots into my hip and down my leg. I drop to my knees and the tears begin.
Each morning and evening, I meet with the Lord in prayer. My faith is on fire, and I have plenty of fight in me. Over the next two years, chronic pain and illness diminished that flame and the fight disappeared.
Excruciating pain, great disappointment, and depression beat me down. I still uttered a prayer for relief, but they were merely words with little passion.
God is sovereign in our pain. This means He always has total control of our lives. We see the clearest picture of His sovereignty in the first two chapters of Job.
It might seem like God throws Job under the bus when God asks Satan if he has considered Job, a blameless man (Job 1:8). Satan tells God that Job is only righteous because God has hedged him all around (Job 1:10) Satan suggests that if God touches all Job has, he will curse God (Job 1:11).
And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So, Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:12 NKJV)
God in His sovereignty allows terrible things to happen. He allowed Job to lose his children, servants, and flocks. Sometimes, He allows the devil to sift us like wheat, but God also allows trials in our lives for our growth. God wants us to be more like Christ.
Suffering doesn’t always come at the hands of the enemy. Suffering increases our faith, but pain can make us lose our fight. Whether we fight the enemy in prayer, or we fight for freedom from pain, something deep inside pushes us to find this illness unacceptable.
It helps to keep our doctrine straight when it comes to what the enemy does. The devil isn’t winning, and God hasn’t stopped helping.
Whatever horrific thing is happening to you right now is no surprise to God. He hears your cries. While God is silent, He is present, and He is in control.
I don’t know where you are on your journey, but I want to sit next to you and take your hand. Blindness prevents me from looking you straight in the eye. I would say, “Don’t lose your fight.”
This road may already be treacherous, or your journey has just begun, but hang onto hope. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and if the waves pull you under, get Him back in your focus as soon as you catch your next breath.
Our verse from Isaiah is true. The weapon of crippling pain did not prosper. I can walk again without much pain, but the weapon was formed, and it did beat me down. Yet, it never prospered. Devil, do you hear that? It never prospered.
It might get rough for you, but that weapon won’t prosper. We fight from victory, not for victory. Jesus has already won your battle. You are guaranteed eternal life with Jesus if you are a believer. Don’t lose your fight.
Something that really helped me was reading and praying the Psalms. They are rich in comfort. Many nights, I’d read one after another until I fell asleep. I know they will comfort you.
Lord, You are my healer. I believe You can heal me this moment, and I also understand You are sovereign. May Your will be done, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.