“Jesus longs to bring healing to us, and while it may not be an instantaneous restoration, I’m confident He will bring hope after loss.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 28, 2024
To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3
Sometimes, it’s easy to look around us and question why some people appear to have it all. No stress, no worries, no sickness, no death or loss. However, things aren’t always as they appear to be. Life has both blessings and challenges. Jesus told us, “Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Although we will all experience difficulties and loss in life, if we hold on to the hope we have in Christ, we will also discover there is a time for healing and restoration.
I discovered when you suffer a loss, and the grief is so deep, healing and restoration can seem so far off and unattainable. However, I firmly believe both are possible.
God is a god of healing and deliverance. Is it easy? Not always. Will it take time? Definitely. While walking the grief journey I didn’t wake up one day with my heart totally healed and restored. He’s restoring me piece by piece, day by day.
Many years ago, my mother-in-law gifted my husband and me with two antique pieces of furniture that had been in his family for over 130 years. It was such a sweet and generous gesture, and while we didn’t want to disappoint her when we saw their condition, we couldn’t imagine them in our brand-new home. Each piece had beautiful stained, leaded glass shaped like intricate diamonds on the doors. However, they hadn’t been adequately cared for in many years, and the wood had a heavy layer of what appeared as dark black lacquer. Not wanting to offend her, we took the pieces home and promptly placed them in the garage.
After several weeks and many hours of research, we decided to try to restore the pieces ourselves. We spent many weekend hours with steel wool in hand, repeatedly cleaning, stripping, and scrubbing. Slowly, we removed the black layer accumulated over many years of neglect. About the time I was ready to give up, I began to see some light shining through from the heavy darkness on the buffet. A little excitement began to stir within me as I saw the beauty beneath the surface. Below the thick black covering was a beautiful tiger oak wood. This gave me the incentive I needed to continue scrubbing and sanding.
These inanimate objects mean nothing to God but imagine, just like the beauty hidden under the surface of that dark, black wood, our Heavenly Father longs to remove the heavy darkness that has settled over our broken hearts. Jesus longs to bring healing to us, and while it may not be an instantaneous restoration, I’m confident He will bring hope after loss.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26).
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for always looking beyond the surface and seeing what lies deep within our hearts. I’m forever grateful for your continued healing and restoration.
Application
If you’re burdened today, reach out to the Father and ask him to begin clearing away the dark heaviness. With the whisper of his name, Jesus will begin to make your burden light.
Related Reading
Isaiah 40:31; Jeremiah 30:17; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Peter 5:10
Worship Resource
Cody Carnes: Run to the Father
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
