Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, so he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will freely forgive. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration.  “For as heaven is higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:7-9 HCSB

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a women’s conference at Bedico Baptist Church. I was invited by my niece and great niece and it was truly a blessing. You can watch it on their Facebook page.The band played the song, Defender. This song was originally written by Bethel Music vocalist Stephanie Gretzinger with Rita Springs and John-Paul Gentile. It has been performed by Francesca Battistelli and Jesus Culture. This song truly spoke to my heart. It reminded me of all the times that God has fought my battles for me. There were times when I didn’t even know a battle was taking place, but God was already fighting. He was already protecting me. He already had good things planned for me (Jeremiah 29:11), He was already working all things out for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28-30).

The song lyrics begin with, “You go before I know that you’ve even gone to win my war. You come back with the head of my enemy. You come back and you call it my victory. You go before I know that you’ve even gone to win my war. Your love becomes my greatest defense. It leads me from the dry wilderness. And all I did was praise. All I did was worship. All I did was bow down. All I did was stay still. Hallelujah, you have saved me. Hallelujah, Great Defender, so much better your way. ”

I know I had heard the song before, but I guess I had never really focused on the lyrics. Seeing the lyrics on the big screen and following along gave me chills. It brought a tear to my eye. I was so grateful for what God has done for me. I am so grateful for His protection. I am so grateful for His mercy. I am so grateful for His love.

The hardest lesson I have ever learned in my life was that I had to let go and let God handle it His way. It was hard to just praise Him and worship Him and bow down and stand still while He fought for me. I wanted to enter the battle. I wanted to bring vengeance. I wanted to do it my way. But in my years on this planet, I have learned that it’s so much better His way. I have learned that God’s ways are higher than my ways. His thoughts are higher than my thoughts. He’s got this, whatever this may be. Sometimes before I even know what I am dealing with, He is working it all out for me.

We must remember that we serve a God who is always working. We sang another praise song last night, Waymaker, originally titled The Way, recorded by Ariana Grande. The lyrics are, “Waymaker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, I know who you are.”  Part of the lyrics that repeat over and over are, “He never stops working.” One of the points of the message last night was that we must know God in order to love God. I have come to know God in the last few years better than I ever have before. I know that He is always working things out for me.

So, as for me I do my best to not stress over what others do. I trust that God’s got every situation. I trust that before I even know I am in battle He has gone before me to make my crooked way straight (Isaiah 45:2).

I don’t know where you are in your life with Christ. Maybe you’ve never even been to church and you have no idea who He is. Maybe you have accepted Him as your savior, but then kind of tucked him away in case of an emergency. Maybe you have accepted Him and loved Him, but have been disappointed by your circumstances and become backslidden. Maybe you go to church every Sunday and worship Him, but you don’t really know Him or love Him.

I have been backslidden. I have gone through the motions of church. I have gone to church out of obligation, but let me tell you none of that has left me with any real peace and joy. But, oh the peace and joy that I have found in a close relationship with Him. I have learned that it is so much better to trust in Him and focus on Him. It is so much better to allow Him to fight my battles for me. I have learned that all I need to do is praise Him, worship Him, bow down to Him and stay still. He’s got this. Praise God! Won’t you trust Him to fight your battles for you today? Let go and give it all over to Him? It’s so much better His way.

Have a great day!