I am in the midst of a storm. Life as
I've known it has come crashing down around me. Things that have
been for so long have been torn apart and are seemingly broken beyond
repair. I feel broken and weary. Every day, I go through a myriad
of emotions. One minute I feel at peace, and assured that all will
be well. The next minute, I'm sobbing and crying out to God, and
feeling every single break in my heart.
I have been given promises, of healing
and restoration and glory. But some days, those promises are so hard
to keep in mind, when everything around me seems to contradict them.
It is so easy to take my eyes off my Savior, and look around at my
circumstances, and wonder if maybe things will remain broken.
But, even in this, there is a purpose,
a divine purpose for my good and His glory.
How can we hold on in the midst of a raging storm,
that breaks everything around us, and be assured that all WILL be
well?
Jesus himself was broken for a divine
purpose. He was betrayed by those he loved, ministered to and
healed. He was denied by one of his disciples. Lies were told about
who he was and his ministry. His body was physically broken, before
and as he hung on a cruel wooden cross. And the purpose of this was
so that we may be healed and live in wholeness.
But
he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our
iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and
with his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
Every
stripe on his back, the holes in his hands, the wound in his side.
It was all for our healing. He took on the heavy weight of the
world's sin and bore it on the cross, so that we wouldn't have to.
So that when we feel heavy and burdened, we can find rest and healing
in him. He left the glory of heaven, to become a man, destined to
die a horrible death, for our good and to bring glory to his father,
and to give us life more abundantly. (John 10:10)
And
he has given us promises to cling to, when the storm rages.
He
has promised never to leave us or forsake us.
Be
strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is
the Lord your
God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
He
has promised shelter from the storm
He
who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow
of the Almighty.
Psalm
91:1
He
has promised restoration
And
after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has
called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore,
confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1
Peter 5:10
He has promised that he is there for us and to strengthen us and be our help
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
He has promised rest
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
He has promised to supply all our needs
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians
4:19
He
has promised peace
Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I
give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be
afraid.
John
14:27
He
has promised deliverance
When
the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of 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 delivers
him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is
broken.
Psalm
34:17-20
He
has promised forgiveness
If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
And
he has promised his love
Whoever
has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who
loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest
myself to him.”
John
14:21
When
life hurts us and everything starts to fall apart, and it feels like
a mighty storm is raging, that will take everything from us and
obliterate it, we can be assured in the beautiful word of God, that
we are never alone, that he is always with us, and he never changes.
In the midst of uncertainty, he is the constant that will sustain us
and bring us through into light, and healing and glory.
These
promises belong to those that belong to the Lord. If you're not sure
you belong to him, or you're sure you don't and want to amend that, I
ask you to pray this prayer and step into his love, forgiveness, and
promises:
Lord,
I know I need you. I know I don't now belong to you, but I am coming
to you now, asking you to adopt me into your family, and to forgive
me of my sins and wash me clean. I believe you are the son of God, I
believe that you made the greatest sacrifice of all, when you sent
your son to die for me. I ask you to come and take up residence in
my heart, and be the savior of my life. I ask this in your name,
Amen.
If
this post ministered to you, or you prayed the prayer above, stop by
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of the posts, so others can benefit from and rejoice in your testimony.
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