It is possible to allow God to fight our battles, but how do we find the balance between doing something and surrendering the battle to God? Karlton shares.
“. . . but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
One of my favorite music groups, Petra, has a song titled: “Get On Your Knees And Fight Like A Man.” That is a song I can relate to, for frequently my illness knocks me to my knees and that is where I too often live as a prayer warrior.
Years ago I traveled hundreds of miles away to visit with family, and by the time I signed in to the hotel I was physically, mentally, and emotionally on my knees. I had no strength left and wondered how I would survive the rest of the visit and the trip back home.
I idly picked up the Gideon’s Bible on the table and opened it randomly, and my eyes fastened on the verse above. It is the Lord who renews our strength.
We may find ourselves many times in the position of having no strength left. Without God that would be a hopeless situation, but with God we can find strength and courage to keep going. Life robs us of many things, our health, our vitality and strength, leaving us feeble and weak, but we have an Almighty God.
My frequent prayer over the years has been the simple confession to God that I have no strength left, and that if I am to move even one inch forward, the Lord will have to carry me.
Time and again He has done so. If you find yourself like me, without strength to move forward, call upon the Lord, ask Him to carry you when you can no longer carry yourself. Ask Him to lift you even on your feeble knees, to help you in whatever battle you find yourself in.
Prayer: Dear Lord, life keeps knocking us down, please help us to get back up, even if it is only to fight from our knees. Amen.
About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He gets weary of fighting on his knees, but is grateful to the God who helps him to endure the vicissitudes of life.
Do you feel like you are fighting on your knees? Why not call upon the Almighty God to give you strength when your strength is gone?
I can relate to your plight Karlton, there are times when we get so weak, without our Father in heaven’s help, we’d be just a heap of goo on the floor. It sure is a battle. I live alone, and it is often so hard to keep going. I do have 2 little yorkies with high energy, they help me to not feel so alone in this world. Bless you for sharing this with us, it so helps to know we are not alone in our physical battles.
Thanks Linda! Yes, dogs can be such nice companions. We have a Shih Tzu and he is a great little guy.
Blessings.
I have suffered with “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,” since I was 33yrs old. I am now 63yrs old and have become so weak and weary that I have wondered aloud, “how will I make it to church, and enjoy my children’s visit for a few hours?” What I have been experiencing in this new physical low is a supernatural surge of energy that I know is coming from God. Often, I have awake exhausted beyond “can-do,” crying up to our Lord for His mercy and His strength, and actually feeling pain dissipate and energy gently pouring in so I can “carefully” partake of life’s basic simple joys that bless both me and my family. I may not be what I used to be, but I also know that I am going to be MUCH MORE THAN I EVER HAVE BEEN when Jesus returns. Hang on kid’s. God is in control and He is working greatness in and through the weakest of His children…oxoxox. prayers for you Lisa C…
Alice, thanks for sharing your difficulties and blessings.
I pray the Lord continues to give you strength and peace.
Blessings.
Excellent message Karlton 🙂
I totally relate & was nodding inside all the way through….. too tired to really nod!! 😉
Just getting to the bathroom often takes prayer! Don’t know how others manage without Jesus. He is my Strength when I am weak. God bless. LOTSoluv Kerryn
Thanks Kerryn! I know what you mean. There is no way I could make it without Jesus.
Blessings.
Karlton, Your message spoke to me today as I am so weary of living each day with such illness. I’m 14 months into being housebound and trying to continue growing in my faith. Today I was wondering how I can get physical strength to do just a few things. Your message of “let the Lord carry us” reminds me of what I need to pray for right now. Alicejoy’s comments also resonate as I’ve had ME/CFS for 25+ years. It is a daily struggle to find a purpose to the day, not just get through the day. Thank you both for sharing.
Lisa, 24 years here with CFS and other health issues. Some days You just never want to leave the bed. Thanks be to the Lord who can motivate and encourage us beyond our weaknesses.
God Bless You!
“Oh the joys that soon await us,
in this world cannot be found,
with our minds confined to finite,
and our bodies to earth bound,
but someday we’ll fly like eagles,
on mighty wings we’ll soar so high,
till we reach the arms of Jesus,
far beyond life’s stormy sky.”
by Alicejoy Fletcher-Lowder. (c)2000
” I saw a poor soul walking,
along life’s rugged way,
with shoulders bent by life’s burdens,
I could do nothing more but pray,
for my own lot has me broken,
as I struggle day by day,
but I thank God sincerely,
when I can do nothing more but pray.
For through the intercessor,
great burdens off shoulders fall,
and as I lie here broken,
my faith stands firm and tall,
for I’ve learned the mighty power,
of the heart bowed in earnest prayer,
and witness the mountains tremble,
“PRAYER BREAKS THE DEVILS SNARE”…
While in my bed of brokenness,
I’m challenged by pain everyday,
but God’s sweet spirit calms me,
when I can do nothing more but pray,
so if you see me broken,
’tis only this body of clay,
for my faith in God stands firm, stands tall,
when I can do nothing more but pray…”
by Alicejoy Fletcher-Lowder (c)1999
Karlton – your message in this devotional really resonated as it is so very true.
Each of us seek the Lord for physical strength we do not have.
I have not experienced the fatigue go away or what I deal with physically go away but His Strength does come in to help me get done what needs to be done.
That can mean resting, as well, and the strength to allow myself to rest and not get angry or frustrated that I am not able to do what others do.
One insight that has come to me over the years is that before I got hit with my debilitating condition, God was my Strength THEN, too. I could be out and about and engaging in life in ways I cannot do now. I simply did not recognize His Strength then as the source in the same way that I do now.
Lynn
Thanks Lynn!
Very good point about the Lord helping us no matter our energy level. Thankfully He is always there in good times and bad 🙂
Blessings.
Thank you, Karlton.
I am fading fast today, in the midst of a battle to keep the power on, and this was very heartening!
Love, Lesetta
Thanks Lesetta. Hope you feel better soon. Praying for you.
Blessings.
You all have great wisdom that helps us all, even in the comments, living this way, struggling for the energy to even smile sometimes is difficult. I know for me, I so love my crazy little yorky brothers. Somedays it is all there is to keep some joy going, I muse at the works of His hands, THANK YOU JESUS……….