Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” But, O how physical and emotional are the effects of this spiritual battle! How many times have I run to my mentor, “Mrs. Wisdom,” pouring out my weak and weary heart to her?
“You’re on the front lines, Donna,” my mentor would often say. “You must expect enemy attack when you openly serve the Lord.” And so I trudged on. But how much longer can I fight?
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How long, O Lord? How long? I’m so tired. I’m battle-weary. The enemy is too strong and too crafty. I’ve got nothing left. I could handle him when he came at me personally. I could handle him when he attacked my marriage. I could handle him when he began to go after my children, but all three? My “pride of life” has taken such a fall that I hardly know him anymore. My “joy of life” has dimmed and continues to struggle on. And my “spice of life” is being poured out, searching and seeking everywhere but not for You. My heart is shattered. It’s more than I can bear.
The desire to study your Word is waning. And how can I go on teaching and writing when I’m so empty and fatigued? Let me hide on the pew Sunday mornings like most do and forget the rest. Let me get an outside job and use the well-worn “I can’t because I work” excuse – at least for a little while. I’m done, Lord. I can’t fight anymore.
Job? Yes, Lord, I remember my friend Job – the suffering, righteous man to whom I’ve turned so many times before. Yes, Father, I will look at him once again…
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Yes, Father, I see. Like Job, I have lost financially, lost what few luxuries I had and, in a way, lost my children. But there is still hope, isn’t there? As long as there is breath in their lungs and in mine, there is still hope! I cannot – I will not – let Satan win. Because also like Job…
I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon my grave.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me![1]
I will see you, God! I will stand before my Redeemer! My heart years within me…
…yearns to be confident before You and not shrink away.[2]
…yearns to receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom.[3]
…yearns to endure in You that I might reign with You.[4]
…yearns to hear You say, “Well done…Come and share your Master’s happiness!”[5]
Praise You, my Father, the Rock on which I stand and the Arms into which I fall! Blessed be Your name! You and You alone are my strength! So…
Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the LORD will be my light.[6]
(You hear me, Satan? I’m not giving up – I’m getting up! And God is with me!)