Psalm 107: 6-7, 14, 20, 29-30, 32, 43 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble and he delivered them from their distress. He lead them by a straight way to a city where they could settle….He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains…He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave….He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them exalt him…and praise him….Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.
Brokenness. Helplessness. I have been here countless times. Some of my heart's deepest pain comes from seeing a loved one who is hurting. Frequently, in these situations I feel so helpless. Seeing someone drown in their circumstances, while also lashing out to exhaustion against rescue is a difficult thing to watch. As I experienced these familiar feelings not long ago, I felt the Lord meet me in this place with these verses.
This scripture reminds me God is the only one with the ability to provide true and ultimate rescue. He came over and over to aid those calling out in their trouble. It was not by human strength that the afflicted were rescued, but by their Heavenly Father.
Yes, the Lord calls us to be His hands and feet on this Earth, to serve and love others, to bear one another’s burdens. However, we will never be enough. We can offer the love, support, encouragement, and truth the Lord’s Spirit provides, but we cannot change a heart. We cannot heal emotional wounds that run soul deep. None of us possess the power to break the chains that shackle ourselves, much less our loved ones to their pain.
In this sense, I feel overwhelmed and helpless when facing pain in the lives of those I love. Maybe they are shackled due to choices they have made. Perhaps they remain in bondage because of a lingering impact from choices of people around them. Living in an imperfect world binds us to pain and brokenness in so many ways.
God once again reminds me, my place is to go, do, and say all He’s called me to. He calls me to remember all the work; the rescuing, the healing, the guiding, the breaking of chains comes by His power alone. The Lord reminds me, when all I see are the ashes, He sees fully. He sees the beauty that could be, hears the call and is swift to answer. His Spirit also reminds me that we are not yet in our desired haven (v 30)but are still journeying. Some of the deepest healing we most want to see may not come until that day.
So, for today, let’s ponder on the loving deeds of the Lord (v 43) that we have seen. Consider what we have seen of His love and deeds through His Word. Remember all we have seen of His gracious love throughout our lives and the lives of those around us. Let us rest in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father needs no rest (Ps 121: 3-4). That He works even as we sleep.
RECOMMENDED UPLIFTING SONGS:
Chain Breaker by Zach Williams
In Jesus Name (God of Possible) by Katy Nichole
You Meet Me Here by Vineyard Worship
Sherry adams
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