7-9-2015

Good Morning All!!

         Isaiah 42:3; “a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.”

    One of the greatest gifts some people have is the gift of healing.  Not the touch the head and yell “be healed” kind but the kind that requires a gentle touch, a kind voice, a patient heart and a determined soul.  I am especially awed by those who can do it with animals.  Not because I am the world’s biggest animal lover but because this type of healing usually takes place in a barn or the back of a stock trailer or our in the open field.  They are healing a wounded or distressed animal; a creature that cannot speak to tell you where it hurts and often times will lash out at the pain thinking the one who is trying to help is causing the pain.  It takes patience and a soothing voice to get the animal to relax.  It is times like that where you really can believe in a horse whisperer or a cow whisperer or a “whatever” whisperer.   They gently align the fractured bone and restore the health to a non-speaking sufferer. 

    It takes a special touch to heal. In our lives that special touch from God comes through Jesus.  Not matter how weak and bruised the reed, he will not break it.  Rather he will mend and heal it.  Perhaps you are a much bruised reed.  Perhaps you have just experienced a painful break up in a relationship and in the recent past have made some other poor choices.  Perhaps you feel like you are being attacked from all sides at once with no place for cover.  Maybe you have been treating an illness for months and months and not seeing any improvement.  Maybe the doctor is saying this is as good as it gets.  These events can cause us pain and even allow doubt to enter our mind.  Why God, why?

    Yet we know that God’s ways are superior to our ways and that he makes all things work for good for those whom he loves.  His promise of healing is for the broken, the hurt and the lame. Jesus the great physician came for the sick not the healthy.  He comes to bring healing, to calm the stricken heart and to relieve the crushed soul.  He comes to give us hope that whatever this world throws at us does not defeat us for we have been given the victory over death, sin and the world by Jesus.  Our woundedness is gently and lovingly healed and we are restored to the family of God and we are made whole again.

    Even if the bruising and the wounding is our own doing, he heals us again and again.  The love of the Father knows no bounds or limits.  His mercy is always there, always present, always at work in our lives often times in ways and manners that we do not see or know.  He comes to heal, to heal you and to restore you.  Trust in his Word.

Father, you healing touch is needed by many this day.  Some are overwhelmed by the tribulations of life.  Help them to know that, through Jesus, we have overcome the world.  Send your Spirit to embrace them in your loving arms and shelter them in the shadow of your wings.  In the precious name of Jesus, our healer, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret