It is wonderful when the Lord touches our lives with His healing love and releases us from buried hurts or longstanding fears. We saw this happening at a recent conference when people experienced the Lord’s healing touch throughout the week. One person had deep fears because of her background and couldn’t express affection, yet was set free in the worship times and was able to hug her friend for the first time. Another guest was doubting his salvation but was given peace about it and became full of joy.
Only Jesus can truly heal us and having experienced deep transformation myself, I am convinced that there is no wound too deep for Him to change. He describes Himself as fulfilling the prophetic words spoken by Isaiah: The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…To comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61:1-3)
The Spirit’s anointing means that Jesus can see and minister into the hidden things that we’ve buried out of reach but which cause deep mourning or captivity. The paralysed man who was lowered by his friends through the roof before Jesus, couldn’t walk and that was what everyone noticed about him. But Jesus saw into his heart and understood the weight of guilt and regret that constantly crippled him. ‘Son your sins are forgiven,’ Jesus said, and the oil of joy flowed so deep that his physical body was unlocked and he stood for the first time ever. How beautiful! We can be sure that Jesus will do this same work today. Marilyn and I once prayed for a lady who was in constant physical pain. But we both sensed that something deeper was going on. When we asked if she felt guilty or deeply sad about anything, a story tumbled out about her daughter having been raped by the babysitter years before.This poor lady had blamed herself and been tormented by guilt ever since. We prayed she would know the power of Jesus’ love and forgiveness, and she left the meeting overflowing with joy. There was even greater joy the following morning when she called to say she was free from pain for the first time in 20 years and no longer needed a carer. We were crying with joy too!
Are you feeling bound up by hurts from your past? Jesus can enter into those memories to set you free. Ashes are formed when coals and wood burn and then fall into dust. Jesus takes all our ashes and replaces them with beauty. He takes our mourning and replaces it with joy. He looks at you today with loving kindness, saying, ‘Beloved Son, Beloved Daughter, I heal you and take every burden of your wounds, fears and regrets. Receive my love and step out into freedom and joy. ‘
Prayer Lord Jesus thank you for the tenderness of your love. You see all things and know the deep hurts and regrets I carry. Please come in and melt those things away. I want to know your beauty instead of my ashes and be filled with praise instead of despair. I receive your love, oh Lord, I receive your love. Amen.
