People Man Guy Crying Dark Hands Shadow Sad
Psalms 129-131
“It’s. Not. F-a-i-r!” How many times have I heard this tearful wail? How many times have I thought it, even when I did not voice it aloud? It is true. The enemy does not play fair. He is ruthless. He is mean. He lies. (John 8:44) He is always disguised, hides behind a mask of good. (II Corinthians 11:14) The enemy uses God’s holy vessels (His children, His church) for unholy purposes. (Daniel 5:1-6; Matthew 16:22-24) The deck is stacked against us……….. Or, is it?
God in His mercy allows me to cry when life is not fair and my heart has been hurt by others or circumstances or consequences. He even allows me the grace to ask Him to deal with others in ways I cannot. (Psalm 129:5-6). The Father listens as I bemoan, “Life is not fair.” He understands my frustration. He promises to deal with all, In. Due. Time. He reminds me, it is not my job but His alone to deal with the sin of others. He has dealt with all sin. He instructs me to focus on my own sinful self and to not judge others. (Matthew 7:1-3) Have you ever read scripture and thought, “I know who needs to read this?” Me too! But the one who REALLY needs to read it is ME!!!!
As I exited a hospital recently having been there for hours with one I love, I was struck speechless by the number of broken down bodies barely able to hobble into the facility seeking help for their decaying bodies. Decaying, yet still breathing. The consequences of living in a sinful world and being sons and daughters of Adam in full kodachrome displayed. This s-l-o-w motion moment piercing my vision, broke my heart. Despite salvation offered by Christ at the cross, we must still live in a fallen world and deal with the disease, disability, and death sin has caused. Our complete redemption is yet to come. Paraphrased from Kingdom Authority by Adrian Rogers) These were not what we could describe as “the beautiful people.” The pained faces of those trapped in Weebles wobbling bodies was heartbreaking. The reality of their plight and seeing how difficult each day is, it was gut wrenching to observe. As a nurse, sometimes I get numb to this reality. This particular morning, it was impossible to miss. My eyes became waterfalls. My prayer: “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”
Is your life broken by pain? It really doesn’t matter if the pain is physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual. It still HURTS and there is only One Source of relief and His name is Jesus. Your pain matters. Your pain is real. The source is the enemy-the devil, not flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:12) The healing is in the wings of Jesus. (Malachi 4:2) Cry out to HIm. (Psalm 50:15; Psalm 91:15; Jeremiah 33:3) He is waiting to hear and answer. Call upon the name of the LORD for “by His stripes we are healed!” (Isaiah 53:5, I Peter 2:24)
According to the Holy Scriptures, the war is already WON! (John 19:28-30) When we trust in Christ’s redeeming love, life is more than fair! We have so much more than we deserve. We are promised a redeemed world, a restored fellowship with God as it was in the beginning, and renewed bodies without pain, sorrow, disease, disability, or death. (Romans 8:18-19; 22-24; Philippians 3:20-21) Thank you Jesus! Our tears will be tears of JOY! (Psalm 126:6)
Cornischong at Luxembourgish Wikipedia [CC BY-SA 1.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
It is ok to cry! Just be sure it is Jesus you cry out too. He alone is our hope and our salvation. (Psalm 62:5-6)
You Are My Hope by Skillet
