Last week, I went to see a surgeon who will remove a mass in my breast. The following day, I saw an oncologist. If you had told me a month ago that this would happen to me, I would not have believed you. Since I have no close family history of breast cancer, I never expected such a path.

Now if you had told me I’d have a stroke or a heart attack, I would have more likely believed it since that it is my history on both sides of the family; but cancer, no way.

As I sat down to talk with Jehovah Rapha—my healer—about it, I read the day’s devotional passage in Open Window. The focus? Divine Guidance. Joshua 1:7-11. The Lord seemed to be telling me just what he told Joshua:

 “Be strong and courageous . . . Be strong and very courageous. . .Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7-11 NLT)

Three times the Lord told Joshua to be strong and courageous—that he would be with him. Three times, he seemed to be telling me to be strong and courageous—that he is with me as well!

A few days later, I began my time of prayer and Bible study by reading Jesus Calling.  When I read the scriptures for the day, I was drawn to Isaiah 41:10. It touched my soul so much that I copied it first in my journal and again in a book where I list passages I want to memorize.

Just as I put down my pen, my phone dinged. It was a text from Susan, a dear friend. She wrote: “Good morning. I love you and I was praying for you this morning for your surgery to go well and them to remove all the cancer and for your full recovery. I love you. Read Isaiah 41:10.”

Goosebumps raised on my arms. The Lord had spoken loud and clear, first through a devotional passage I had just read and copied twice and then through a dear friend. I love God moments when I am certain He is talking to me.  I will memorize Isaiah 41:10 before the end of the day:

“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)

There is a very popular song today playing on the radio called Fight Song. Written by Rachel Patten, it is very catchy and inspiring, and I like it very much. I hum it to myself often:

“This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I’m alright song
My power’s turned on
Starting right now I’ll be strong
I’ll play my fight song,”

There’s only one thing missing from the song—God. It seems to say the fight is within me. My fight, though, will not be through my power but through the power of the Lord. Yes, I need to obey and cooperate, but the victory is his.

The Lord is fighting this battle—not me. When Joshua arrived at his first major military engagement at Jericho, the Lord told him to have the priests lead a procession around the city carrying the ark of the covenant every day for a week.  On the seventh day, they were to walk around seven times very quietly and end their walk with a blast of seven rams’ horns and a loud shout. The walls fell. The Lord fought the battle–not the people.  (Joshua 6)

One thing is for sure. When my surgery is over, I will shout as well, “Thank you, Lord! Thank you! The victory is yours!”

Perhaps my favorite fight song is an old hymn–Victory in Jesus. Written by E. M. Barrett, the song is an optimistic reminder of the hope of heaven. In the second stanza, though, there are references to the healing ministry of Christ. What an encouragement! Sing it if you know it. It will lift your spirits.

“I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.  (Chorus below)

I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow’r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and bro’t
To me the victory. (Chorus below)

I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there
The song of victory.

Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

Bottom line? He will heal me here—or he will take me to heaven! Either way, I win! Praise the Lord!

Challenge: What about you? Are you facing huge battles—health, financial, relationships, grief? Turn it over to the Lord. Hold his hand. Let him do the fighting. Then you will be assured of victory!

“But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV)