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When the world hurts you, your heart does not heal properly. It leaves a scab that negatively impacts how you see and experience everyone and everything around you.
When the Lord heals, He takes the scab off, exposing the hurt, but only so He can completely heal you.
Do not despise or turn away from His healing process. God is doing a good work in you, making you new and whole again.
Selah.
Photo courtesy of Lightstock/Daniel Davis
Isaiah 25:1 – O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
Isaiah makes a personal reference to His God. What he shares is not hearsay or what he learned from another person. Similar to Isaiah, we too can reflect on the wonderful things God has done for you in the past:
1. We want to run for shelter in times of trials and tribulation. There are times when the storms in our lives are so strong that we want to run for shelter. We board up our lives, cover our hearts, and silently suffer while we hope the storm will pass. Sometimes we run to others around us for help, which can cause our situation to become worse.
Job 16:17-22 – Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place. Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
As Job assures himself that he hasn’t committed any injustices, he looks for someone who would plead with God on his behalf rather than receive the scorn from his friends.
1. We often speak before pray…or think. Many times when our friends are struggling, in sin, or needing answers or help, we rush to share our opinion. When we rush to help, we can cause greater damage, even when we have the best intentions (Proverbs 19:2, 25:20). Therefore, it’s important that we first hear from the Lord on whether we should say or do anything. Who else better to speak with than God?!
Exodus 3:7-8 – And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
The Lord Himself had seen the affliction of the children of Israel and has heard their cry. He previously stated that after four hundred years of affliction in Egypt, Abram’s seed would be delivered (Genesis 15:13-16). That nation of people would return to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob) after the iniquity of the Amorites was full (Genesis 15:16).
As we face afflictions, trials, tests, and difficult times, may we not forget that God sees and hears our afflictions and will deliver us in due time. Let us be faithful unto Him and wait for His deliverance and restoration.
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Additional scriptures: Exodus 2:23-25, Psalm 11:4, 33:13, 34:17, 145:19; Hebrews 4:13
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/lovesr
As Jethro watched Moses judge all of the cases of Israel, he said this thing was not good. He said it would wear away both him and the people (Exodus 18:13-26). He suggested he receive help from among the people to assist him in judging the smaller cases. The men Jethro proposed would be:
1. Able men 2. Men that fear God 3. Men of truth 4. Hating covetousness
Men such as this would ensure justice, fairness, and obedience to the Lord (and His statutes).
Such men were needed for Moses and they are needed today. Many businesses and ministries suffer because people of this caliber were not selected for leadership positions. Instead we find scandals, abuse, embezzlement, and mistreatment.
Be very selective of those you allow on your leadership staff. Pray to the Lord for people of Jethro’s caliber to lead within your church, organization, community, and nation.
Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/boostinspiration. Image covered under Creative Commons License.
When tragic situations occur near and far away, we often want to help, but we’re unsure how. Caring for the less fortunate is in line with living as a child of God (Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 10:25-37; and James 1:19-27), and we wonder how we can provide the greatest assistance.
1. Pray. There’s never a waking moment that someone in the world is without the need of prayer. Pray without ceasing throughout the day and as often as the situation or person(s) are brought to your remembrance (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
2. Connect with local organizations. Check the local newspaper, television, or radio stations for support and relief opportunities already taking place. Oftentimes, it’s easier to support organizations with ties already in the affected area than trying to make your own. However, you may discover that new ‘connections’ are needed as you pray and seek the Lord’s guidance.
Life can deal some tough situations. These situations can bring feelings of depression, anger, and pain. You don’t feel good about anything and you want to lash out (on someone or something). You know something needs to be done to correct your situation (before something terrible happens), but your motivation isn’t there. You want nothing more than to slip away into the dark abyss that has diminished your vitality. So how do you stop the downward spiral? How do you get your second wind?
Let’s read about a ‘stressful’ situation for King David and his men:
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