Taken from "The Journey," by Melissa Haas:There are two main things that I love about this scripture passage. First, I cherish the fact that God calls me by name because I belong to Him. I am not just a child, I am HIS child. I am precious to Him and He loves me more than I can fathom. The second is the mention of “through”—through the waters, through the rivers, through the fire. God promises me He will always be with me during the painful times, but He also promises me that the pain will be temporary; to go “through” something means that I will come out on the other side.
It’s important for you to know that you cannot speed up the grieving process. The losses you have
experienced are very real, and your wounds will need time to fully heal.
Think of it in terms of a big boo-boo. (Bear with me; I am the mother of preschoolers.) Your brother has disobeyed and in the process cut you deeply. Hearing your screams, Daddy runs to you. Taking in the situation, He looks straight into the eyes of His son, His eyes filled with fire and tears at the
same time.
“Son,” He says in His deep, authoritative voice. “Wait for me here until I come back. I need to take care of your sister. You have hurt her very badly.”
Turning His attention to you, Daddy cries, “Oh, my girl! You are bleeding!”
He picks you up in His strong arms and carries you to a safe place. Very gently He explains, “Honey, I have to clean this wound out, and it is really going to hurt. I’m sorry, but if I don’t clean it out, your
wound won’t heal, and you will get very sick. Do you trust me?”
Your child’s heart wants to trust, wants to believe that Daddy has your best interest at heart, but when the first little bit of antiseptic hits the wound, the pain cannot be denied. “Daddy!” you scream, “It hurts!”
“I know, Sweetie. I wish I could make the pain go away.” And as tears drip down His face, He
carefully but firmly cleans out the wound and bandages it.
“Daddy, hold me,” you cry as the tears subside and your sobs turn to shuddered sighs.
“I’m sorry, my love. I’m so sorry.” And as He rocks you, He begins to sing over you and you fall asleep in His arms.
“But now says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by my name, You are mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Sheba in your place. Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.’” Isaiah 43:1-4
My sponsor has encouraged me to soak myself in God’s Word, which if I’m being honest, I haven’t been doing much of lately. I actually haven’t been doing much beyond trying to survive each day and each moment. But her encouragement and prayers brought me to a passage I’ve clung to before in my dark moments. I feel it echoes the pain of my heart perfectly, and then concludes with a beautiful promise that I am holding onto at this moment.
“I am the one who has seen the afflictions that come from the rod of the LORD’s anger. He has led me into darkness, shutting out all light. He has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.~joyfully broken
He has made my skin and flesh grow old. He has broken my bones. He has besieged and surrounded me with anguish and distress. He has buried me in a dark place, like those long dead.
He has walled me in, and I cannot escape. He has bound me in heavy chains. And though I cry and shout, he has shut out my prayers. He has blocked my way with a high stone wall; he has made my road crooked.
He has hidden like a bear or a lion, waiting to attack me. He has dragged me off the path and torn me in pieces, leaving me helpless and devastated. He has drawn his bow and made me the target for his arrows.
He shot his arrows deep into my heart. My own people laugh at me. All day long they sing their mocking songs. He has filled me with bitterness and given me a bitter cup of sorrow to drink.
He has made me chew on gravel. He has rolled me in the dust. Peace has been stripped away, and I have forgotten what prosperity is. I cry out, ‘My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the LORD is lost!’
The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:
The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’
The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.
For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.” Lamentations 3:1-26, 31-33 (NLT)
No comments:
Post a Comment