Do You Know The Best Healer of All?
Good Morning Friends,
I was at a meeting yesterday and one of the members of the civic group during announcements shared that he had received a diagnosis of ALS. It is a disease where the neurons of the brain die. Already his hand eye coordination and speech was being altered by the battle going on inside his body. Still it was a spiritual moment and an act of courage as well as the start of a journey for the group. Interestingly several individuals shared a tear and I think they were healed in a spiritual way in that moment even though they had no control over the outcome for the man making the announcement. It became clear that no earthly doctor could suture pangs of the heart not yet made. Only the Great Physician knows why, if it does not seem completely broke yet, it still needs fixing. Only the maker of our hearts knows the deepest pain we will ever experience. And it is here we discover the blessing in the brokenness of the Christian life. It is here in the mystery we find healing and comfort even though it waits for a completeness. Do You Know The Best Healer of All?
Scripture: When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Psalm 34:17-22 (NRSV)
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3-12 (NRSV)
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
Psalm 30:2 (NRSV)
Message: The Bible speaks often of miraculous healing through the work of Jesus Christ and through faith in God. It is not too hard to find scripture that will encourage us and help us focus on finding comfort through the healing of Christ both spiritually and physically.
It is here that we learn that the words broken and blessed go together even though they do not seem like they should. In my experience I find it doubtful that God will bless a person greatly until that person has been hurt deeply. The weak and the broken always give the most glory to God. A quick look at the Beatitudes will reveal at least a part of that mystery. Our experiences validate this as well. Friends, it is difficult to explain why we have to experience a void that cannot seem to be filled…a sorrow that cannot seem to be comforted…a brokenness that seems irresolvable….but we do. And when we experience this very situation we also might discover in it the key to our spiritual growth…the key to our very salvation….the key to our service. Here as we journey through the valley we realize that this is where most people live. It is here we can best follow the example of Jesus. Here in our crushed spirit, here with a failed heart we see God at work in each other. It is here, in our broken spirit, we see the sacrifices of God. Here our hearts become repentant. Here we join with the One who created our hearts for only He can mend them when they break….only He can break them in a way so that they might be used.
Pray that God change what we desire. Pray He brings us to the position where we will want to do what He desires. Pray our minds and emotions are renewed. Pray that God’s strength and healing be made perfect in our weakness and brokenness. Pray we allow Jesus to break our hearts with grace rather than judgment. Pray we find the blessing in the broken heart. Pray our hearts are healed in this life and the next. Pray we understand that prayer has a healing power.
Pray that in the brokenness of life we discover healing. Pray that in the brokenness of life we discover honor. Pray that in the brokenness of life we discover love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 