I’d recently been turned onto audio books which made great company on my road trips and walks. Although I hadn’t finished my last book, I had some credits to use up. One of Lynn Austin’s titles caught my attention: “Return to Me.” A few weeks later, my dear friend Pam asked if I wanted to participate in a Bible study. I had missed the last year due to life’s demands, but I love studying the Word with other women. So, I committed without even asking about the subject of the study.

About the time our Haggai Bible study started, I also began listening to my new book. I realized both the Bible study and the audiobook were about the Israelites who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. How fun to study this through two different perspectives.

One morning during my walk, the narrator of my audiobook shared the words of the prophet Zechariah as he proclaimed, “Not by might nor power, but by my Spirit.” Twenty minutes later I sat to work on my Bible study. As I started through the questions, the study directed me to look up a Scripture in Zechariah 4:6. “So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (NIV) A chill ran down my spine. What were the odds of hearing the exact same Scripture from a book I downloaded months ago, on the same morning I read it in my unplanned Bible study? None, Nada, Zilch.

It was providential, as if God spoke directly to me, “My precious daughter, some things can only be resolved by my Spirit.” I sat back into my chair, closed my eyes, and tried to absorb God’s very timely message. A personal issue that wrecked my heart immediately came to mind. With all my might, I tried to resolve it. I’d prayed, sought counseling, shed thousands of tears, and lost hours of sleep. I’d written letters, made phone calls, and driven miles. Still, the issue remained, unresolved and hurting like an open wound that wouldn’t heal.

A picture came to mind: a child beaten up in the school yard, his lunch stolen in the process. Exhausted from the fight, he withdrew to sit alone on a bench. Then his dad showed up. Immediately the child ran to him. As his father gathered him into his arms, the child’s tears dried. His fear dissolved: his confidence had returned. He knew he no longer had to defend himself.

I felt a peace come over me. My Father was here too. As much as I wanted to fix things, it was simply beyond my ability. It would take His Spirit because, like many things where the enemy is at work, spiritual battles can only be won by spiritual forces.

As we observe the forces of evil divide our country and our families, do not lose hope. Sometimes we must put aside our own desires and efforts and simply wait for Him. I don’t know about you, but waiting is the hard part because I’d much rather be doing. “God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope for help from God.” Lamentations 3:25-27 (MSG).

Even if we could fix the pains of life, it wouldn’t have the profound results of God’s handiwork. So I wait, seeking and focusing on Him while aching to see His glory. The battle is His. It can only be won by the Holy Spirit. He will be the victor. He is Daddy, Abba Father after all.