Battling For The Lord’s Victory

Battling For The Lord’s Victory

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. Proverbs 21:31

Though God is the ultimate physician who heals us, today’s verse reminds us that we must also play a part in our health care. Just as the warrior makes sure that his horse is always ready for battle, we must do what we can to make sure we take care of ourselves.

Recently, I had to talk to a patient about his choices. Because he wasn’t doing his part, we couldn’t do ours.

Richard was an overweight, middle-aged man who suffered from a variety of health concerns, including diabetes and high blood pressure. He was now scheduled to have heart surgery, but we were unable to proceed because of other factors related to his condition.

“I’m sorry to tell you that we can’t do your surgery today, Richard.”

“Why not? I thought everything was on schedule.”

“It was, but the tests showed that your diabetes is out of control, and your blood pressure is too high. We need to get those things taken care of before we can do open heart bypass surgery. If you’re healthy, you’re more likely to have a better outcome, and your recovery will be smoother.”

A few days later, Richard’s numbers had come down, and he was back on the docket for surgery. He was now ready physically, but he was also ready emotionally and spiritually in a way I’d never seen from him before.

“Dr. Anderson, would you pray with me before surgery?”

“Of course,” I said. “Lord, we know that we have done all we can to prepare for this day. Richard has done all he could do to be as healthy and as ready as he can. We pray this morning for the surgery team that has prepared to operate on him. We ask you to guide every move of their hands and to use them to heal Richard’s heart. We know that all things are possible through you. And we trust that your will be done. Amen.”

As today’s proverb suggests, Richard had done all he could to prepare for the battle, and now the victory was up to the Lord.

TODAY’S RX

Do all you can to prepare, and leave the rest up to God, trusting him for the victory.

Father, prepare the way for me on this healing journey. It is only by your direction that I know the way to go.