April 14, 2024

 April 14, 2024

Sometimes we have to purposely choose Jesus when it may be the last thing we feel like doing. Peace and confidence come when we drop our distractions and focus on Jesus alone because he himself is our peace. When nerves are raw, emotions tense, and our schedules overwhelming we need to go to our rooms close the door and pray. We have to drop everything and spend time with God, remembering that he is majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders. As we do, he will meet us in our place of need. 

The new testament tells us that Jesus was entering the gates of a town, called Nain when he encountered a large funeral procession for the only son of a widow. Luke carefully points out that when the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said don’t cry. Then Jesus reached out touched the coffin and stopped the procession. he spoke to the young man and raised him from the dead. Then Jesus gave him back to his mother. 

The word Luke uses to describe Jesus‘s heart going out to the mother implies a depth of compassion from the center of his being. When we weep over our own struggles, we can rest assured our saviors heart goes out to us in the same way. He longs to comfort us and help us as he alone can. But for that to happen, sometimes we have to wait for Jesus. We have to allow him to stop us and what we’re doing. Then we need to place what we’re facing in his hands. The woman had no idea what Jesus was about to do. But what he did defied logic and changed everything. 

The funeral procession became a party. Luke wrote, they were all filled with the awe and praised God. Weeping turned into worship, and despair into delight. All because of Jesus. He brought them unexpected joy! (Devotion from today) 

This season is not what I want for our story. It isn’t what I envisioned our time together to look like. The total unfairness of it all. YET I trust the Lord every step of the way. I trust him and will stand on His promises in His Word. 

I know people think, what if He doesn’t heal Michael this side of heaven? Well, What if He does? I would rather have the hope He does then to live a life with no hope. I know that according to the Word, God has already done it. I want to see it manifested in his body NOW! I am ready for God to defy logic and change EVERYTHING! 

He did it then. He can do it now. He is the same God! He moved in power then He can move in power NOW! He was a healer then He is a healer NOW! 

God is the resurrection and the LIFE! John 11:25

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isa 41:10

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isa 26:3

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deu 31:8

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:9-10