“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6
Category: sorrow
Heart Disease
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”
Jeremiah 17:9, NLT
We are the wounded. What exactly has caused it isn’t always known. A death, divorce, depression and disability are great triggers. Some of us are chronically ill, others are mentally ill. We struggle to hold a job, and to go to church. There are some who are reading this who are controlled by addictions. And a few of us consider suicide on pretty much a regular basis.
We’ve been hospitalized and stigmatized, and sometimes even institutionalized. And at times we endure massive attacks of fear and anxiety. We are not easily understood, and we hear the whispers. Our paranoia can often saturate what what we are thinking, (I think its more like a “marinade.” Our brains just soak it up.) Most of us are ‘walking wounded.’ We limp physically, and figuratively with equal pain.
“For thus says the LORD: Your hurt is incurable,
and your wound is grievous.”
Jeremiah 30:12, ESV
If we are honest (and God insists on a rigorous honesty) we realize that we are a mess! The prophet Jeremiah had a tremendous understanding of the human condition, and was never beguiled by the lie of pride, arrogance and selfishness. He declares that we are diseased down to the core, like a rotten apple.
At times we continue in our favorite style of darkness. And havoc sporadically rips through us and we become “disaster areas.” How very sad, and profoundly tragic.
But you must understand this powerful fact. Jesus Christ has been sent by the Father to save and cleanse all who come to Him.
“At that time a fountain will be open for David’s descendants and for the people of Jerusalem to cleanse them of their sin and uncleanness.”
Zechariah 13:1, NCV
“Children, it’s time for a bath,” and what God has done provides us the only way to “get better.” Some of us have carried staggering burdens for decades. But I must be truthful. Our afflictions may continue to disturb us. If you are bipolar or depressed, it just could be you’ll remain so. But I know first-hand that our Father will give us an extra ration of grace.
In the Old Testament, family patriarchs could give an additional portion to a son he especially loved. All were blessed, but some more so. That peculiar proclivity of our Father is why some of us with deep wounds can follow closer than others who are healthy.
“For I am the LORD, your healer.” Ex. 15:26
“The treatment a wound gets decides whether time will bring healing or bondage.”
&
ybic, Bryan
kyrie elesion. (Lord, have mercy on each reader)
Related articles
- A Retrograde Faith (brokenbelievers.com)
- Pain Franchise (isiahanderson.wordpress.com)
- The Holy Spirit – Our Helper (sundayschoolbiblestudy.wordpress.com)
- First Day of Jeremiah Ponderings…. (rhoda1982.wordpress.com)
Tangled Up in Sin (and Death)
18 “Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.
19 Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!”
Micah 7:18-18, NLT
These verses speak of the sin and guilt of God’s people. But even more importantly we hear of the extravagance of God to forgive so readily. Micah speaks directly to us who need to understand exactly what has been done for us. He knows what God is really like, and encourages not to give up hope.
I find that people as a whole understand sin. As they survey their lives, they are conscious of many flaws and shortcomings. Although we resist the label– ‘sinners’– we all admit a certain failure. It is this that Micah is speaking of. The Bible tells us “that all have sinned.” From the lost wino to the president of the United States, we are all cut from the same cloth. All means everyone. And we each have the same problem.
We are all in need of someone who will save us from our sin. These verses speak of the greatness of God to intervene. Without His intervention we are all buried in our sin. In a colorful way (so typical of Micah), we visualize God trampling down our iniquities, and forgiving us of so much sin. This is no small task. Generally, people are grateful for the intervention.
Like intertwined and tangled vines cover a marble statue, completely enmeshing it, we plead for release. There are many attempts at extricating ourselves. (Some rather heroic efforts). But nothing ever really works.
The wonder is that God has already done this. He has cut us free and trampled our sins underfoot. He has gathered up all our iniquity and dumped it in the Marianas Trench. We are now free to go. Our sin is forgiven. What a wonderful God!
Upon release we are free to help Him free the others. Isn’t this is what ‘evangelism’ is all about? What a noble task it is to assist the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve. 
My Faithful Savior
Many things in this life are uncertain, causing even the faithful to struggle and doubt. Even at such times, or maybe even more so then, I am thankful that God has promised that He will never leave me or forsake me.
I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV).
When times are tough, may this triolet remind you of your faithful Savior Jesus.
My Faithful Savior
My faithful Savior will always be near
In my struggles and pain, when I doubt
that anything will ever change
My faithful Savior will always be near
I know someday He will exchange
the tears I cry for a glorious crown
My faithful Savior will always be near
In my struggles and pain, when I doubt
Broken Believers 