He sees. He cares.

El Roi, The God Who Sees Me

A few days ago I was reading Luke. Luke 6 tells the story of Jesus teaching in the synagogue and how there was a man there whose right hand was withered. Big deal, right? I mean, it is just a small annoying injury to no one in particular (though if it had been me or a loved one, I'm sure I would have thought otherwise). I read on. The scribes were watching Jesus closely. They knew of His healing character and love for everyone; would He heal on the sabbath? They were itching to accuse Him. Then Jesus, who knows all things, who came to fulfill the prophesy spoken of in Isaiah 40: “Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God,” called out to the man, the man of no seeming consequence, and told him to stretch out his hand. “And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.”

What love! The man didn't even ask, yet Jesus saw the need, singled him out and healed him. I'm so thankful that Jesus doesn't think like my selfish thoughts, that He cares about EVERYONE. He cares about me, even when I'm selfish. LORD, help me to love as You love, help me to reach out and see everyone as you see them! God thank you for loving me.

Well, I went on with my day not thinking of my earlier devotion time until I found out that my brother, Ryan, was involved in an accident with the lawn mower. He lost the tip of his right pointer finger and mangled two other fingers. Now this may seem of no consequence to you, but this was my little brother and he was hurting! Suddenly I remembered the story in Luke 6 and I prayed, “God, You love Ryan way more than I possibly can. You know how to comfort him. You know all things. You took our burdens on the cross. Father may he feel Your presence and arms. Father comfort Him because You see him now; You know exactly how he feels and what he needs!” I was met with a beautiful sense of peace.

The next day Ryan was home from the hospital. Soon after he was pale, shaking, sweating, and moaning in pain. We turned on some healing scriptures and began to pray them over him. Within a few minutes the shaking had subsided leaving only silent tears rolling down his cheeks. I turned on the song Healer by Kari Jobe and watched in wonder as he slipped into a peaceful sleep. Is God good or what? He comforted Ryan, and it was awesome to behold.

I am reminded by the scripture in Isaiah 43:1-2 “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.'” He doesn't promise that there will be never be rivers or fire to go through in life, but He does promise to go through them with us. And one day, He will make all things new.

Ryan is in good spirits, Jesus is holding his hand as he walks through this. Our family and friends are praying, our home church is praying, Lakeside church is praying, Ryan's school is praying, our friends in Africa are praying. God hears, He is here, He cares, and it is beautiful to behold.

Healer, by Kari Jobe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzejd6r9DwE

Healing Scriptures:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIPhEwUvwOI