Not By Might

 

Wow. What a rollercoaster the last forty-eight hours have been! Part of that time span was spent sitting with a dearly loved one in the ER of a large university hospital ( nine-and-a-half hours). While I have entrusted their care to Almighty God and the infinite resources of heaven, I'm still tasked with finding a good specialist to look after them. I've done a lot of praying and texting the person, making sure they understand self-care in the aftermath and asking God for protection. 

In the midst of this, a prayer was answered about a job for that same loved one. My emotions have, to say the very, very least, run a long gambit. As I sat in the ER, plunged deep into a spiritual atmosphere rife with fear and despair, I fought an internal battle. I texted believing friends for prayer and pleaded with the Father for all sorts of things. It did not occur to me until I was home, safely tucked in a warm bed and listening to the rain pour outside, that part of the reason for my anxiety in the ER was the spiritually charged atmosphere of that emergency room.

When I first made my way through the double doors, I was instantly transported into what looked to me like a war zone, or a field hospital in the wilderness. It did not look like the emergency room of a level one trauma hospital in the wealthiest country in the world. There were, in short, people everywhere in all sorts of distress. There were elderly hunched in wheelchairs. There were people already hooked to intravenous lines, their poles and bags blocking aisles. People were coughing, throwing up, A woman whimpered in a corner. At some point a young man angrily cried "I've been assaulted with a deadly weapon!" He was summarily informed that there were a hundred people there waiting for help. It seemed to me staff was working as hard as they could. When, after a total (I got there late) of sixteen-and-a-half  hours after first being admitted, my loved one was finally given a bed, it was in a hallway. I can't be sure of all contributing factors but surmise the pandemic coupled with the location of the hospital (near the city center and a go-to for many people) had lead to the hospital being full. It was an unforgettable experience, to say the very least! We made sure to be as kind as we could to all staff, understanding that they were doing all that they possibly could. I was concerned for them.

Within those walls, a battle was raging. While I berated myself for not operating in faith, I failed to understand the waters I was treading. Satan and his battalion of spirits designed to crush body, soul and spirit were running amok in that waiting area. Demonic forces of fear, despair, infirmity, selfishness and rage roamed the aisles. I am so thankful for Christian friends who prayed for us and encouraged me by text. It was so strengthening. 

While I was there, God brought this passage of scripture to my attention:

 "For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You

In a time when You may be found;

Surely in a flood of great waters

They shall not come near him.

You are my hiding place;

You shall preserve me from trouble;

You shall surround me with songs of deliverance."

(Psalm 32:6-7, Holy Bible, New King James Version.)

God has instructed me to pray. I don't have to pray perfect prayers, prayers of just the right duration, or prayers prayed with a bold FEELING of faith. I just have to pray. God will supply the power, preservation and deliverance. 

I believe that if we have a lifestyle of prayer, when the floodwaters rise, we will instantly reach for God's hand. In my case, I also reach out for corporate prayer and I am deeply strengthened by it. When the issue touches a dearly loved one, the prayers of our Christian friends and their accompanying faith help so much because we may feel weak or exhausted. 

I didn't mention the warfare in the emergency room in order to shine a spotlight on the enemy. I simply want to remind all that we do not wage war as the world does. Our God, who is our supply, our defense, our healer and our support, is not intimidated by the enemy. Satan was crushed when Jesus defeated death on the cross. We need only to look to that same Jesus who the Bible says is the author and finisher of our faith to fight our battles for us. 

In all things and in every way endeavor to keep in step with the Spirit. Our victory is crystallized in Zechariah 4:6, which reads: "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts." (Holy Bible, New King James Version.)