This entry was written over thirty years ago.   As it pertains to God’s response to me, the specific details aren’t important. They were at the time because I needed comfort and encouragement for a tough situation concerning one I loved very much. We were both hurting, and I was mourning the loss of a better time in our lives.

From the journal . . . . October 1989

“Jesus, Jesus.  My hope is shaky because I think the answer to this chronic problem rests on his decision to act”.

And I Believe God Said:

Trust in Me.  The battle is Mine.  I can and will win it.  Pray for Mark.  Pray with My armor. 

2 Chron 20:14-15   Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph; ¹⁵ and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. NASB
 
Ephesians 6:10-17  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. NASB
 

It’s not too heavy for you.  Don’t let up.  It’s a spiritual battle.  If you shrink back, My soul has no pleasure in you.   

Hebrews 10:37-38 For yet in a very little while,
He who is coming will come, and will not delay.
³⁸ But My righteous one shall live by faith;
And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. NASB

This is your spiritual act of service. 

Romans 12:1  Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. NASB

Pray for Mark.  Do spiritual battle.  You know how, even if you don’t fully understand.  Diane, Satan wants you to quit.  That’s truth.  Why do you think that is?  Be encouraged!

Lord, forgive my impatience.  Is it Satan that says the problem is Mark’s alone and only Mark has control?  Is that Satan’s lie?

It’s a twisted truth.  The decision is Mark’s alone but My divine influence on his heart is being perverted. My grace is lost in the translation.   Don’t let anything distract or discourage you.  I mean it Diane.  It is crucial that you remain fervent in your prayers for Mark.  As you think of him, remember to pray!

James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. NLT
 

One of my favorite definitions of grace is “God’s divine influence on my heart.”  God is always so generous with His divine influence on us but sometimes we have a barrier of some kind blocking or polluting His grace.  It might be fear, selfishness, unbelief, independence, or maybe a stronghold from the evil one. We often don’t know what the roots of our problems are, let alone how to solve them, but Our Lord does. 

So, whether we are fervently praying for ourselves or a loved one, we bring our burdens to Him and we don’t give up because He who is coming will come!!!