He heals the brokenhearted

We have all been there. We have all gone through those moments when it feels like your heart is shattered into a million pieces, never to be whole again.  We have all experienced heartbreak.  This comes in many forms. It could be a loved one who mistreats you or a significant other who leaves you. It could be loss through death, or loss of a job. It could be plans that never happen. Whatever the cause, heartbreak results in leaving us broken, hurt, and afraid at times to ever trust again. However, there is a Healer for a broken heart. There is One who can apply healing ointment and restore a brokenheart.  His name is Jesus.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 NIV

There are many examples of Jesus healing broken hearts but the one I am quick to always think of is Mary in Luke chapter 7. She came and found Jesus. She then washed his feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. What sorrow must have been in her heart to be so broken. She was desperate for relief and healing. Her tears were from being brokenhearted. Can you imagine the hurt she must have been carrying? Jesus had great compassion and when he spoke to her he said, "Your sins are forgiven." He then said, "Your faith has saved you, go in peace." Not only did she receive salvation, she received peace. Peace that washed over and poured through her like healing oil. A peace that healed a broken heart and healed the hurt.  We know Mary changed that day and became a follower of Christ. She was forever changed and could trust in the Savior of the world. She had found the healer of broken hearts.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7 KJV

We can bring all our cares and brokenness to Jesus and he will heal our brokenness. He cares for us and he knows our hurts. He came to earth as a man so He could not only bring us Salvation, but to also understand our earthly existence. While on earth, he experienced pain, betrayal, loss, and broken hearts.  He truly understands and has great compassion for us.  We can bring our brokenness to Him just as Mary did, and he will pour His peace into our wounds. He will heal our broken hearts. His peace can pour through our hearts and souls bringing restoration.

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord , that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3 KJV

He will heal and give us new peace and joy when none could be found.  Where once we had sorrow and brokenness, he gives joy and praise. He can change our hearts and give us a testimony of restoration and healing. What was once broken is now whole again. Jesus is the healer of broken hearts.  He makes them whole and new again. He gives peace and joy. We can trust Him for new life. Bring it to Jesus and lay it at His feet. He will take it all and heal you.

Light in the darkness

This morning is another beautiful day that God has made. As I awoke this morning, I was reminded that God is so good.  The sunrise is beautiful as the light breaks through the darkness and the flowers of fall are in bloom. Yet, the news that met me is tragedy has taken place somewhere in the world, tragedy that my human mind cannot understand. There are people suffering loss due to a tragedy and evil has been the cause.  Evil works very hard to destroy. In the midst of evil circumstances,  there may be questions of why this happened and where was God.  I can tell you without a doubt, that God was still there and He is still good.  The acts of a person overcome by evil intentions is not an act of God.

God is still good. He is there with those who have been hurt and he is there with those in the aftermath.  He was even there with the person doing evil.  God is saddened by these events just as we are. He knows the hearts and the pain of each and every individual involved. God is there and He is working to bring out the good in those who are touched by tragedy. What evil meant to destroy, God can turn into a testimony of His goodness.

Why didn't God just stop the tragedy ?  Some ask that question and it is a good question. What I do know is that each of us have free will and God does not go against our free will. He must allow each person to make their choices even when the consequences cause great sorrow and destruction. God does not cause these events, people do. People who have turned from Him, allowed evil to prevail in their hearts, and act on that evil are the cause of these things. God does not stop free will. He gave each of us a choice and each of live with the consequences of those choices.  Unfortunately, others do too.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord , choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord .
Joshua 24:15 KJV

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 KJV

In the midst of these events, God and His body are present.  God is there to protect, love and carry people through. He wants His church, His body, to reach out in the middle of these times and be a loving hand and help to those in need. These are the times that the body of Christ needs to stand strong and demonstrate the great love God has for people. This is the time to be a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a warm hug, and a person who prays. It is in these times, that the Body of Christ  can send and bring aid, can provide shelter, and meet needs.  This is where Jesus can be revealed. In times when evil is working overtime,  is when God's people can shine brightly with the love of God to those in need.  We are to be a city set upon a hill and a light to the world.  This is when our light needs to shine bright and clear.
I believe God is revealed in the good  that comes forth in these hard times.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Matthew 5:14 KJV

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 KJV

We are to be the hands and feet reaching out to those who need to know that God is good even when tragedy comes. God's people need to reach out in love and demonstrate the goodness of God in the middle of tragedy. We need to be a light of our good God who loves even the person who has done evil. We may not understand the tragedy or the reasons why, but we can find the good and be the good that God wants to bring forth.

God is not willing that any perish. (2 Peter 3:9) He does not want these things to be, just as we don't want them.  Since evil is in this world, tragedies will take place at the hand of evil people and we all live with the consequences. That does not take away the goodness of God.  He is there too. May the people of God shine brighter than the evil and pierce through the darkness that is trying to destroy. God can be a light that is brighter than the darkness when we take the time to be the good in the midst of evil.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:5 KJV

Even when there is tragedy, this is still a beautiful day because God is still good.  I can still say that He has been so good to me. I can still praise God for who He is and I can worship Him.  I can feel His glory and see His glory all around. His goodness can shine bright in the places of darkness. Be the light of God in the middle of the evil. Be the light that darkness cannot comprehend. Be the Light.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 NIV