“The Spirit of your life in Christ has set you free to freely forgive another.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 27, 2023
There is, therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2, ESV
As we stand at the threshold between the passing year’s pain and the approaching year’s potential, the Scriptures guide us in releasing the burdens of hurt and pain while embracing hope and healing found in God’s promises. Your pain may be a passive hurt always lingering in the background of your mind or an assertive pain that keeps you off balance in being your best self.
The trials and hurts of the past year may have left scars, lingering emotions, or wounds that seem difficult to overcome. Beautifully, the Bible offers us solace and guidance in releasing these burdens to God. The Lord is near and dear to you, His beloved child in need of a healing touch.
Psalm 34:18 assures us, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” In times of distress, God draws close to us, offering comfort and solace to those burdened by pain. By entrusting your hurts to Him, you open yourself to the healing touch of His love and grace. Jesus became broken, so out of His pain, you can be healed and mended back by grace. If you allow past pain to define you, you will only flounder as a victim and not flourish as a victor.
The Apostle Paul’s encouragement in Philippians 3:13-14 resonates profoundly in letting go of the past: “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Releasing the weight of past hurts allows us to fix our gaze on the hopeful future God has in store. It’s a deliberate act of faith, letting go of the pain while eagerly anticipating the healing and restoration God promises to bring. A healing touch from pure Love gives praise to your lips.
In the process of releasing pain and hurt, embracing hope and healing involves actively seeking God’s intervention. Jeremiah 17:14 implores, “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” Through prayer, we invite God’s healing touch into our lives, acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of restoration and wholeness. The transition from pain to healing entails an intentional shift in perspective. Isaiah 43:19 speaks of God’s redemptive work: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” This verse invites us to perceive the new beginnings and healing God brings, leaving behind the past year’s struggles and embracing the coming year’s fresh hope. Celebrate recovery!
Embracing hope and healing for the new year involves trusting in God’s promises for restoration. Psalm 30:5 assures us, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” As we release the pain and hurt of the past year, we can confidently anticipate the dawn of a new season, marked by God’s restoring hand and the promise of joy to replace sorrow. As we bid farewell to the pain and hurt of the passing year, let us release them into God’s compassionate care. As we enter the new year, may we embrace the hope, healing, and restoration in His promises. Let us trust in His faithfulness, seek His healing touch, and eagerly anticipate the beautiful transformation He brings, turning our pain into a testimony of His grace and delivering us into a season of renewed hope and healing. The Spirit of life in Christ has set you free to forgive another freely. Yes, a most generous New Year gift to reset and restore relationships.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me release my pain to your care and comfort and receive by faith your healing touch through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name.
Application
What past pain has made you a victim instead of a victor through the power of God’s Spirit? Pray and forgive yourself and others for past hurt and receive God’s forgiveness and healing.
Related Reading
Psalm 23; Jeremiah 29:11; 2 Corinthians 1:3-8; Revelation 21:4
Worship Resource
Josue Avila: Psalm 23 – I Am Not Alone
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