Look upon mine affliction and my pain; Psalm 25

Yesterday, while resting, I had the opportunity to hear a phrase that made me hold my heart and say, “Oooh.” It was a moment that would speak clearly to the heart of every woman watching. There was a woman scared to let go of her emotions and move forward in a relationship because of her past; it was filled with memories of previous hurts, pain, sorrow and distress. She’d experienced abuse both physical and emotional. At this point of her life, she was unwilling to reciprocate the love that was being offered freely to her. During a conversation and knowing her past, as an expression of love and in hopes of reaching her heart, the man tells her that he would “love her passed her pain.” I thought what a wonderful pulling of the heart strings and an effective way to bring about a healing and restore brokenness.

This applies spiritually to us today because God is in the healing and restoration business, from brokenness; shattered pasts, as well as damaged and destroyed relationships. He is the One who can without a doubt love you pass any and all hurts or pains you have encountered, past or present; whether they are emotional, spiritual or physical pain and afflictions. He has given us His “love manifesto” for life; for His Word is sure and it’s right. The Word gives us so many promises that we can take to heart; promises that we can stand on, promises that we can believe; for God is not a man that can lie (Num 23:19). He is God, our all in all, our hope for today and tomorrow. He tells us that He would never leave us nor forsake us. He is there for us through it all, we can depend on Him and His Word. Certainly, it would stand to reason that He is able to love us passed our pain; able to overtake; move through and ahead of our hurts. He is able to keep us and give us rest and peace regardless of all else that we can and will experience.

The heartfelt expression given by the young man was admirable and I love the concept naturally; if we could just get that in our spirit, it would help bring about healing and restoration to so many who need to know that love exists (I John 4:16). One reaching one… what an impression that would make for the Kingdom! However, no one can love us pass the pain like Jesus can. Even David knew that everything he was, was predicated on God. He knew that everything he wasn’t, God was. He knew God was where all of his hopes lied. We have to remember that no matter who has turned away from us or left us or who has hurt us, or who has been there or not been there for us, He is always right there, waiting with open arms. Keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee, O God (verses 20-21).

If you are scared to let go of emotions and move forward in life because of your past; if it is filled with memories of previous hurts, pain, sorrow and distress; if you’ve experienced abuse physically, emotionally, and spiritually and if in this point of your life, it keeps you from a love that is being offered freely... let me tell you today that Jesus can and will love you passed your pain! He is the way, the effective way to bring about a healing and restore brokenness for your soul.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew. Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. Deuteronomy 33:27-29

I’m not sure about the time this morning, but I was awakened by what sounded like a sonic boom, only to get my bearings and realize the second time, that it was thunder. I’m sure that lightning was around somewhere since they hang out together. There are no words for what my heart does during these (unfamiliar to me in this capacity) occurrences, so I covered my head and I heard the words “in His arms.” Needless to say, I slept well the rest of the morning as the rain continued to fall. Sometimes, you’ll be given a word at the right time that is not only on time but comforting and consoling; giving you rest beyond measure. Bringing to memory that we must trust God in all things, great and small, no matter the issues or the circumstances we face. He is our refuge; it’s there we can find shelter from the storm, literally.

In this passage, the children of Israel were being blessed by Moses before his death and he reminds them, what a blessed people they were to God. He had made every provision for them, shown them through all of His wondrous and mighty acts since leaving Egypt. He held them in His arms every step of the way. Destroyed their enemy, provided, comforted, sheltered, and protected them. He was always with them and they were never alone. God had been given them every benefit of His mercy and grace. The children, “had it made” as we would say today; riding on easy street with no worries. He kept them from falling, as well as keeping them from being consumed by their enemies. He was always there and all God required was their love and obedience. Sounds simple doesn’t it. Well, the children of Israel might say different during the course of history.

Even today, as the people of God, He has made the same provisions for us. Said He’d never leave us nor forsake us. He will be there in our time of need; He will keep us from the snare of our enemy. He will keep us safe from harm and danger, an ever present help for us. One of my favorite passages is Psalm 91, where it speaks to hiding in the shadow of the Almighty and then if you drop down to verses 14-15 it says, “Because he (us) hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.” What a wonderful promise from Him to us. Like the children of Israel, God has afforded us that same love and refuge, and extended to us the same care and comfort, same shelter of protection from the enemy, and He is able to keep us from falling just as He did for them (Jude 1:24-25). We have a God who sits high and it looks low, seeing all, knowing all and concerned about all. He is never too far that we can’t reach Him. He is there in the midst of everything we face.

Let’s remember today that we are in His arms, we have the love and the protection of God, not to mentioned we are armed and dangerous (Morning Love, Feb 2010); against all odds – even thunder and lightning... we can put our trust and faith in God because He is our refuge and we our underneath His everlasting arms, safe and secure. Happy are we, amen?

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde