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2 Chronicles 20:15b – Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. (NLT)
Have you ever gone through a trial when, although others may be around, you feel like "It is only God and me"? I well remember going through such a time.
My husband Marcelo was asleep on the couch, where he had spent the night for the previous seven months, and I was in the bedroom.
The slightest movement on the bed would send me into even deeper anguish and pain. I lay there suffering from a debilitating sciatica disorder. I needed surgery, but Marcelo was self-employed, and at that time, we were without medical insurance.
It was a very dark, helpless, horrifically painful time in my life. Marcelo was wonderful to me — such an awesome caregiver. What a beautiful husband I have!
Sleep for me came in occasional short bursts, and at night, the pain was always worse.
Being in such pain, I could not read my Bible, and prayers were nothing more than uttered sighs. But by God's wonderful grace, my faith in Him remained steadfast and my trust unwavering.
One night as I lay there alone, I felt an eerie presence enter the bedroom. Helpless and stunned, I heard a voice, though not audible, say to me, "I know I can't have your soul, but I can cause you so much pain you will think you are in hell."
As weak as I was, something rose up inside of me, and I was able to say, "You cannot do anything to me that God does not allow you to do!"
The evil presence left immediately! I have never forgotten that incident, or the whip tail way that the evil presence had to flee. Thank You, Jesus!
If you have ever felt or should ever feel like it is "only God and me", rejoice, because "the battle is not yours, but God's"!
- Only God And Me
The mighty army is marching
We're almost face to face
I see their men and weapons
And I only have God's grace
Their men are strong and so well trained
They'll die before retreat
The earth shakes from the thunderous sound
Of the soldiers' horses' feet
I stand in opposition
And look in back of me
I have no troops to back me up
There's only God and me
The questions now are hurled at me
From each and every side
What are your plans? What will you do?
Their voices loudly cry
What can I do? is my reply
The strength comes not from me
And then I whisper silently
Dear God, please fight for me.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are the Majority and the Victor in every circumstance that we face. Thank You! Amen.
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An encouraging word. Cheremiah. God bless.
So proud of you and your stance for Christ and for his faithfulness.
Thank you, Cheryl, for this powerful lesson. I hope your body is healed.
Thank you for sharing. This type of story often goes untold. Praise for health and helpful husbands.
Thank you, Cheryl, featuring sharing this devotional and poem with us. I’m forwarding this to my daughter. Blessings.
Thanks be to God Who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord! A very moving devotion this morning. Amen.
Thank you for naming this disease today, Cheryl. I had my first bout about a week ago so I know it feels like dying. Bless and keep you writing your truth.
Blessings, my sister friend. God has used your dark experiences to create a deep well of God’s grace for others.
Thank you for your devotional.
What a blessing Marcelo is to your life. What painful challenges that God ministers to. Precious are the time that we realize the power of “God and Me.” Your writing brings us encouragement to understand the depeer things of faith.
Hello Cheremiah,
I’m so sorry to learn of your long suffering, and pray you are fully recovered now and will never again suffer.
I’m wishing both you and Marcelo good health.
Hello Cheryl
That was so good and a encouraging poem also. Yes, I have had that experience with the evil one and wow, to see him shrink back into come culvert when I said the name Jesus and that I was covered in the blood of Jesus. Praise the Lord!!
Thank you for your devotional today. I really appreciated the poem that you wrote about how God always backs us up in every fight against the enemy!
Just wanted to let you know that your writing is enjoyed so much that it is a rich blessing! Thanks again.
Good Morning Cheryl,
I so enjoy your devotions and especially your poems.
I hope and pray you are not still suffering from pain, it can sure wear down your soul, but with faith in Jesus nothing can destroy you not even the devil who waits in the wings to attack us when we are at our weakest.
God Bless.
Hi Cheryl:
I couldn’t agree more. I have been there and was blessed to have the surgery which was a complete success. I had a full ten days of pain following the surgery but I knew this was a healing pain. God was knitting me back together. There has been no pain after that ten days. Praise the Lord!
These are the battles where it is just “God and me”. I thank a Him for His faithfulness and strength.
Hi Cheryl,
Enjoyed your devotional this morning, what a tough time you had. And happy to see that all is well again. I love your poems. so meaningful.
And you are so right, it is by the grace of God that we can endure a pot of the problems we are faces with. I say that so often to the people in my Bible Class at the local long term care centre.
Thank you for writing, Blessings.
Yes, pain is worse at night following knee surgery and also having foot pain from arthritis the Dr had apparently told the nurses that I did not need pain pills for night as especially older people have no pain at night. The nurse said that is not true the patients have more night pain even our pharmacist who is so good thought the same. My husband said when the weather is changing you are not with an arthritic person to say that.
So I understand.
Thankfully we both have good husband caregivers.
(ON)
Thank you, Cheryl, for this timely message. I have just experienced major surgery for the first time in my life and the pain is more than I ever imagined I would have to endure. Last night held very little sleep for me, despite extra strength medication, and those black, dark hours are so very long. Then there are the exercises I must do during the day! Excruciating! And yet, I know Who is with me, encouraging me, and strengthening me. Your message this morning came at the perfect time, well written, needed, and enjoyed! Thank you!
Blessings be yours forever!
(ON, Canada)
Hello Cheryl
Thanks for the reminder. What a beautiful poem!
I have heard stories but never one like this.
My Pentecostal friends who know about demonic activity say the devil can never take the soul of a Christian but can cause you trouble.
Your poem is beautiful.
Thank you for your articulate thoughts, and for telling about how you managed your pain by asking for God’s help and strength. He hears every prayer, and when we are in such pain the whispers and sighs are indeed all we can manage, and I believe that is when Jesus and the Holy Spirit continue the prayer for us, which they then present to God.
I hope your pain has resolved.
Dear Cheremiah,
So sorry that you had to endure that horrific sciatic pain. Our God is truly awesome in bringing us through so many different situations when we trust in His unfailing grace and mercy.
Thank you for this recent writing and sharing another of your meaningful poems.
Blessings,
(B.C.)
It hurts to hear how much you suffered. Your steadfast faith and trust in the Lord is contagious! In reading your Devotion I am reminded and comforted by these words; ~ Romans 8:31~ “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Your Poem was very powerful and beautifully written. All of your writings are so visual and a blessing. Thank you for writing, and by sharing, caring!