Nancy Guthrie's 2nd session dealt with hearing Jesus speak to us when it seems God has broken His promises. What do you do when there is a conflict between what the Bible says and your experience? Jesus was willing to heal the leper in Mark 1, but He seems unwilling to respond in your case. Psalm 91 relates God's protection over His people, but what do you do when you or a loved one was left unprotected?
We need to remember that the primary focus of Jesus' ministry was not physical healing but spiritual healing. Leprosy is a picture of an even more fatal disease, sin, which has infected all of us. Jesus came to rid us of a disease that kills the soul, not just the body. Yes, Jesus did heal people while on earth, but they eventually died. The healing He gives from sin is not partial but permanent which we will experience forever in eternity. If this leaves us disappointed, it shows that we really don't think sin is that big of a deal.
Jesus came to protect us but not from every possible earthly disaster. One day, God's wrath is going to be poured out, but we will be protected from what we deserve because there was no protection for Him. This is how He protects our souls for eternity. Do we value this?
Did you really only come to God to get good stuff from God, the stuff to make your life complete? Does it cause you to wonder whether Jesus is really worth it? Were you using Him to get what you want? Do we need to repent?
"When we insist that God's promises of complete healing must be applied to our lives now as well as in the fullness that is to come, we're mistakenly expecting in this age what God has reserved for the next. God's primary purpose in the here and now is not to rid us of sickness and pain but to purify us and empower us to place all our hopes in his promises, trusting that one day they will become the reality we will know fully and enjoy forever."
Hearing Jesus Speak Into Your Sorrow by Nancy Guthrie, Tyndale House, 2009, pg. 32.
We need to remember that the primary focus of Jesus' ministry was not physical healing but spiritual healing. Leprosy is a picture of an even more fatal disease, sin, which has infected all of us. Jesus came to rid us of a disease that kills the soul, not just the body. Yes, Jesus did heal people while on earth, but they eventually died. The healing He gives from sin is not partial but permanent which we will experience forever in eternity. If this leaves us disappointed, it shows that we really don't think sin is that big of a deal.
Jesus came to protect us but not from every possible earthly disaster. One day, God's wrath is going to be poured out, but we will be protected from what we deserve because there was no protection for Him. This is how He protects our souls for eternity. Do we value this?
Did you really only come to God to get good stuff from God, the stuff to make your life complete? Does it cause you to wonder whether Jesus is really worth it? Were you using Him to get what you want? Do we need to repent?
"When we insist that God's promises of complete healing must be applied to our lives now as well as in the fullness that is to come, we're mistakenly expecting in this age what God has reserved for the next. God's primary purpose in the here and now is not to rid us of sickness and pain but to purify us and empower us to place all our hopes in his promises, trusting that one day they will become the reality we will know fully and enjoy forever."
Hearing Jesus Speak Into Your Sorrow by Nancy Guthrie, Tyndale House, 2009, pg. 32.
Persis,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recommendation. I read the intro and 1st chapter...WHAT good, true and sweet words for times of sorrow. Often we can
fluff words around pain and it seems to be more hurtful and isolating than helpful.
Appreciate this post, Dear Sister,
Jojo
Thanks, Jojo. Nancy is a testimony to God's grace during an incredible trial. I just started reading the book and have been blessed.
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