When We Are Hurt

When we are injured, we go to a physician for healing. When someone does something that breaks our heart, we try to heal the relationship. When we suffer financial loss, we try to recover and may seek expert advice to correct our situation.

Psalm 147:3, 6 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. The Lord lifts the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.” When we are hurt by someone else’s actions or our own failures, God responds with healing and revival, if we allow Him to do so. God loves and renews those who will humbly trust Him.

Facing Trials

Often, when we face a difficult situation, we will assess the conditions and make a plan to overcome the problem. Other times, the problem seems to be far beyond our ability to address, and we are frozen in inaction. We may come to believe that we will not be able to achieve a good outcome.

I Samuel 17:37 says, “And David said, ‘The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ And Saul said to David, ‘Go, and the LORD be with you!'” Against all the odds and common sense, David chose to fight the giant warrior, Goliath. David had experienced God’s favor and strength while fighting against the beasts successfully. He believed that God would fight for Him once again. Our faith is built in the trials and in experiencing God’s power fighting for us.

Announcements of Good News

It used to be that when we had good news, the family and close friends would gather together and we would make the announcement. Everyone would rejoice and talk excitedly with each other of the good news of a pregnancy or marriage proposal or some other cause of rejoicing. Nowadays, these announcements come with ceremonies made for posting on social media.

Acts 13:48-49 records what happened on Paul’s first missionary journey and these verses say, “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.” God calls us to go and preach good news. By His power, we are then able to see people believe His Word, resulting in people rejoicing and glorifying God, and lives changed.

Raised Up

At my age, I have to call upon all sorts of deliverers to help me. Various doctors serve to help me through my medical concerns. I consult with advisors to assist me with medical and legal issues. Repair services take care of the many devices and possessions I use. My wife is of neverending service to help me in all my day to day concerns. These people are available upon my call to deliver me from my temporary problems.

Judges 3:9-10 says, “But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he judged Israel.” When God’s people were in trouble, they cried out to God for help. God raised up a leader and placed His Spirit upon Him. The leader was then able to rescue God’s people. People are crying out to God for help. God has raised you up to be a leader. If you are His child, His Spirit is upon you. You are called to declare the Lord’s message to the people around you and to rescue them from evil.

Touchscreens

We have them on our phones, in our kitchens, on our computers, and in our cars. We have become so familiar with them that we don’t know how to do things without them. Life doesn’t work that way. We have no touchscreens that will immediately react to our touch and solve our problems.

Isaiah 63:9 says, “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.” When we face afflictions, the afflictions impact God as well. His presence will save us. When we are overwhelmed, God lifts us up and carries us through our struggles.