healing

Known Day 12 Jehovah Rapha: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Known Day 12 Jehovah Rapha: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

July 25, 2023

Bold,Faith,Glory,Good,Healing,Heart,Peace,Perfect

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Jehovah Rapha"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 103:1-10

My soul, bless the LORD, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 My soul, bless the LORD, and do not forget all his benefits. 3 He forgives all your iniquity; he heals all your diseases.

4 He redeems your life from the Pit; he crowns you with faithful love and compassion. 5 He satisfies you with good things; your youth is renewed like the eagle. 6 The LORD executes acts of righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He revealed his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel. 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love. 9 He will not always accuse us or be angry forever. 10 He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why does David exhort his own soul to bless the Lord and remember His benefits? (verse 2)

In Psalm 103:2, David addressed his own soul by saying, “My soul, bless the Lord, and do not forget all His benefits.” David was reminding himself that God had blessed him greatly by recounting the numerous ways God had already provided for his needs.

David Guzik suggests, “It was as if David looked at his soul and understood that it was not praising God enough. He called upon his soul to do more.” It is easy to lose sight of the good things God has given us and focus on the negative aspects of our circumstances. David understood this and was encouraging his soul to concentrate on all of the positive things God had done for him. (Psalm 78:5-7)

Remembering God’s benefits encouraged David and gave him hope. Remembering all the times God helped him in the past reminded him to turn to God when times were tough. (Psalm 42:4-5) Shae Tate asserts, “Remembering what’s true stops the chaos around us long enough for us to remind ourselves, ‘Ok, God’s not forgotten me. So, I’m not going to forget His promises for me.’”

In the Old Testament, God often instructed His people to make a monument to Him after a miracle or blessing so future generations would ask about it and they would have opportunity to teach them about the goodness of God. (Joshua 4:20-24, Genesis 28:10-22)

We can incorporate this practice of reminding ourselves to bless the Lord for His benefits, thereby instructing and encouraging those around us (and our own souls!) of the sure victory and hope found in a God who never changes. (Hebrews 13:8)

He who was faithful in the past remains faithful to His beloved even today. (Deuteronomy 7:9)

The Everyday Application

1) Why does David exhort his own soul to bless the Lord and remember His benefits? (verse 2)

Years ago my church compiled a book of testimonies and answered prayers from parishioners. I recently re-discovered it and marveled at how faithful God has been! There were stories of hardened hearts turning to God and desperate needs being met.

One woman dreamed she should pray about an upcoming calendar date, and on that date her husband experienced a medical emergency while driving and was able to make it to help safely. In one testimony, someone received a free house in answer to a prayer! I was amazed at God’s goodness, but I was also amazed that I had forgotten about so many of these wondrous testimonies. This is why David’s exhortation in Psalm 103:2 is so important.

Reminding ourselves of God’s blessings from the past bolsters our faith in God to continue meeting our needs and surpassing our expectations in the present. (Ephesians 3:20) Arlene Pellicane suggests David is “giving a ‘locker room talk’ to an audience of one — like a rousing speech coaches give to sports teams before playing a big game.”

David reminded himself God has come through for him in the past, and He will come through for him now and in the future. (Philippians 4:13) Shae Tate reiterates the importance of rehearsing God’s benefits to us, noting that “What has always been true will always be true. And it’s true for me today, even if I don’t feel it in completeness right now.”

When we find ourselves dwelling on impossibilities and in need of breakthrough, we can remind ourselves of all the good things God has done for us and for others in the past. Those blessings remind us God is good and faithful at all times! (Psalm 100:5)

The Original Intent

2) Is healing from disease of the same importance as the other benefits from God that David lists? (verses 3-10)

In Psalm 103:3-10, David lists the benefits from God that he wants his soul to remember, including forgiveness from sins, physical healing, satisfyingly good things, renewed youth, compassion, grace, and love. These are some amazing deeds; things that are life-altering and memorable.

Charles Spurgeon suggests David “selects a few of the choicest pearls from the casket of divine love, threads them on the string of memory, and hangs them about the neck of gratitude.” It might be tempting to cherry-pick from this list and elevate the “flashier” blessings, like healing or renewed youth, but the order of their listing gives an idea of their importance.

David Guzik asserts how significant it is that forgiveness of sins is first on the list, “In David’s mind, the most important thing was to have sins forgiven, even more important than physical healing.” These blessings may have been listed as a sequence of events. First, God forgives us, and then He heals and redeems us.

Andrew Murray explains, “Forgiveness is the access to all of God’s love. On this account, forgiveness is also an introduction to all the other blessings of redemption.” David thanked God first for the forgiveness of sins because this is what opens up the door to relationship with God. (1 John 1:5-10)

Forgiving our sins was so important in the heart of God that He sent His Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for all our sins upon Himself on the cross (John 3:16) so we would not need to face the penalty of death. (Romans 6:23) Confessing our sins and turning from them allows us to walk with God and experience His many blessings.

God’s forgiveness is the greatest gift; without it we could not experience all the riches of His grace as children of God. (Romans 8:14-17)

The Everyday Application

2) Is healing from disease of the same importance as the other benefits from God that David lists? (verses 3-10)

When I book vacation lodging, I am extremely frugal, which means I am willing to overlook minor inconveniences to gain a good deal as long as my basic necessities are met. A few years ago, I was thrilled to find a vacation rental at a reasonable price that had 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and laundry facilities, which were my must-haves. I was so eager to snag the bargain I didn’t notice the mention of a year-round lodger in the basement, which I discovered only after the cancellation date had passed.

I was so impressed by the low- price that I overlooked some of the most important details about the lodging. I tend to do this in other areas, too. When I read the list of blessings David details in Psalm 103:3-10, my attention is immediately drawn to the words, “He heals all your diseases.” I have a vague recognition of the other items listed in God’s “benefit package,” but I tend to focus on the promises of healing, grace, and love.

I am glad for all the blessings, but I want to especially remind God of the things I can experience in a tangible way. In doing so, however, I overlook the other amazing things God has given me, some of which are even more important than physical healing in the great scheme of things. The first thing David thanked God for was His forgiveness of sins. David recognized that God wiping away his iniquities (Psalm 51:2) was vital to his walk with the Lord. (Psalm 32:1-6)

Without the gift of forgiveness, there would be no other gifts. May we be mindful of and grateful for all the gifts God has given us, not the least of which is His merciful forgiveness.

The Original Intent

3) How can David say God heals all your diseases when people who trust in the Lord still suffer from diseases? (verse 3)

In Psalm 103:3, David praises the God who “heals all your diseases.” David experienced God as a healer personally (Psalm 30:2, Psalm 107:20), which is important to remember as we read David’s personal prayer of thanksgiving.

God holds all power and rule to heal anyone at any time, but His magnificent love and personal knowledge of us knows that physical healing can actually prevent our hearts from turning to God for spiritual healing. David knew Scripture proclaims God as ultimate Healer (Isaiah 53:5, Exodus 15:26), but he also knew God didn’t always answer prayers for healing in the way and time we ask. This scenario was also his personal experience when he entreated God to spare his first child with Bathsheba, who died at 7 days old. (2 Samuel 12:16-18)

Still, David believed that no matter what happened, the Sovereign God (Psalm 135:6) could be trusted with all things. (Psalm 111:7) Ann Voskamp suggests, “We may not always get our miracle. But we always get God. And that is the miracle that is more than enough.” Even if God the Healer doesn’t heal when we ask Him, He is still Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals.

Tricia Lott Williford offers the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego believing God would rescue them from the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:17-18) “They knew what they had asked God to do, and they believed He absolutely could do it. They even said He would. And then they finish the sentence with the giant caveat: But even if He doesn’t, we will not bow to any other god. […] In one hand is faith: I believe He can do anything. In the other hand is sovereignty. Even if He doesn’t, I believe He is still good.”

It is hard for us to understand why God would not heal someone when He is the Healer, but we know His ways and thoughts are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8); we only understand in part here on earth. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

We may not be able to explain or understand God’s ways, but we can trust His Word that He is always with us, working everything out for our good. (Romans 8:28)

The Everyday Application

3) How can David say God heals all your diseases when people who trust in the Lord still suffer from diseases? (verse 3)

Are you familiar with the story of quadriplegic Joni Eareckson Tada? In her extraordinary life since a diving accident left her disabled, Joni has served the Lord well by painting, advocating for the disabled, providing wheelchairs for the dis-advantaged, and ministering alongside her husband to crowds around the globe. She has prayed for healing, and countless others have prayed for her healing, still, she has now spent 50 years in a wheelchair.

When I read David’s words thanking God for healing all his diseases in Psalm 103:3, I wonder about Joni and others who haven’t experienced physical healing. According to author David Guzik, God “brings healing to us in this life through both natural and miraculous ways. He promises ultimate healing for all His people in the age to come.”

Joni Eareckson Tada says, “When people are healed miraculously, it should encourage us to look forward to the time when healing will be for everyone.” There will be a day when all who have trusted Christ for their salvation and heart-healing now will stand before God in Heaven, free of all manner of disease and pain. (Revelation 21:4) Until then, God continues to sometimes heal people of diseases here on Earth. More often, though, He allows the physical challenges to remain and produce the character of Christ in our lives. (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

Author Katherine Wolf, herself disabled by a severe stroke, asserts that until we see Jesus face to face, “the moments of releasing our lives into the hands of a God we cannot see are the closet to wholeness we will come on this side of eternity. This is our truest healing—the healing of our souls […].”

This soul healing is the reason Jesus came into the world (Luke 19:10), and it’s the reason He gives us the grace to become more like Him each day. (Philippians 1:6)

Tags :
freedom,healing,hope,known,Names of God,Rapha,rescue
Share This :

Recent Journeys

Known Day 11
Journey Study

What I saw broke my heart. His head was down, and his shoulders shook with sobs. He knew cancer was taking the man he loved so much. As his mom I was so concerned for his heart, his faith, and his trust in the Lord His God.

From the time of diagnosis, we prayed, “Lord, we know You are the Healer and You will heal Grandpa here on this side of heaven or home with You.”

Our desire was for healing to happen here. God’s answer was to call him home.
Join The Journey!

Can We Pray With You?

Prayer is central to our ministry as believers in Jesus as we carry eachother’s burdens and intercede for one another. Our team is honored to share the work of praying alongside you!

This Week's Lock Screen
Explore This Journey Theme!
July 10 - July 28, 2023 - Journey Theme #121

Join a GT POD!

Authentically living out a life of worship to the God who rescued us from darkness requires accountability and intentionality. Join a GT POD and take the next step in your faith journey!

Join the GT Facebook Community!
Free Registration!
Share Your Story!

Known Day 11 Jehovah Rapha

Leave a Comment

Known Day 11 Jehovah Rapha

Meribeth Schierbeek

July 24, 2023

Comfort,Faith,Glory,Good,Healing,Heart,Know

Read His Words Before Ours!

Exodus 15:22-27
Exodus 20:1-21
Matthew 9:1-8
Psalm 103:1-5
Isaiah 53

When I hear Jehovah Rapha, the Lord is our Healer, my mind goes immediately God’s revelation of Himself as He began to give His prophet, Moses, the ten commandments: 
“I AM the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.”
(Exodus 20:2, emphasis mine) 

We see very quickly, as we consider our sin within light of the ten commandments, how desperately we need the spiritual healing of our Savior Jesus from our slavery to sin. (Romans 3:20) In fact, our spiritual healing began back in the garden of Eden, when God covered Adam and Eve’s nakedness and shame in their sin (Genesis 3:21), an early shadow of the righteous covering Jesus would bring. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Still today, our hearts are deceitfully wicked (Jeremiah 17:9-10) and we need Jehovah Rapha (Luke 6:17-19; Matthew 14:13-14; Mathew 8:16-17) to be wholly His and wholly healed.

As we understand spiritual healing, we also look to the physical healing most of us have desired for ourselves or a loved one. 

Our family has been in this place of longing for healing when my father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. Oh, how we prayed for his healing.  

A very special friend of all of our children, he was closest to our 15 year old son. I recall leaving a visit with him, turning to look at my son in the backseat of our car. What I saw broke my heart. His head was down, and his shoulders shook with sobs. He knew cancer was taking the man he loved so much. As his mom I was so concerned for his heart, his faith, and his trust in the Lord His God.   

From the time of diagnosis, we prayed, “Lord, we know You are the Healer and You will heal Grandpa here on this side of heaven or home with You.” 

Our desire was for healing to happen here.  
God’s answer was to call him home.  

Before he died, he was able to talk with our son. He told our son he was thankful for cancer because it drew him closer to the Lord…a testimony declaring healing begins and ends in the heart, even if it doesn’t heal the body. Jehovah Rapha did indeed minister in mercy to our beloved Grandpa. 

So often I find myself wanting healing from …
The pain of life. 
The emotional pain of a strained relationship. 
The physical pain of sickness.
The mental pain of trauma and past abuse.
What would you add to this list?

What happens when the healing of the pain we suffer falls short of our desires? 
Is Jehovah Rapha still our healer?  
Does His character change? 
(Hebrews 13:8)

As I grapple with these questions, I think of the story in the gospel of Matthew, when friends carried their sick neighbor to the healing hands of Jesus. (Matthew 9:1-8) I see so many types of healing in this short vignette!

To a lonely heart, one suffering under the cultural stigma of illness, the gift of friendship is like the healing touch of the Lord! 

After a lifetime of paralysis, how miraculous it must have been to receive the physical healing he so desperately desired! Imagine how this must have transformed nearly every area of his life, from his ability to work and achieve financial security to his relationships and his place within his community.

Finally, we see two spiritual healings, both in the forgiveness of the man’s sins and in verse 9, Matthew’s own willingness to immediately accept Jesus’ invitation to follow Him. In order for Matthew to become a disciple, he must have had a new heart desire to walk with God . . .  Healing the man’s legs was only the beginning of Jesus’ work here!

How often is this true in our lives, as well? We want Jehovah Rapha’s healing in one specific area, but God has abundantly more…He wants us to believe HE IS LORD, the I AM, giving us the healing we need.

Because of the redemptive work of Jesus, we can have hope that healings we don’t see manifest on earth will be brought to full completion in heaven. As we learned with my father-in-law’s journey, Jehovah Rapha is ever drawing us nearer to His heart, even through illness, and we can have faith in the perfect restoration of all things in the presence of Jesus. (Revelation 21:1-5)

As the psalmist declares,
“My soul, bless the LORD, 
And do not forget all his benefits.
He forgives all your iniquity;
He heals all your diseases.
He redeems your life from the Pit;
He crowns you with faithful love and compassion.
He satisfies you with good things;
Your youth is renewed like the eagle.”
(Psalm 103:1-5)

Sisters, how can you trust Him with your pain?

Whether you are struggling physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually,
whether healing comes now or in your earthly future or in heaven,
God is still your Jehovah Rapha, 
still with you in your hurting, 
still comforting you and sustaining you 
until He calls you home.

Tags :
healing,known,loved,Names of God,rescue,Safe
Share This :

Recent Journeys

Known Day 12
Digging Deeper

Forgiving our sins was so important that God sent His Son, Jesus, to take all our sins upon Himself on the cross (John 3:16) so that we would not have to face the penalty of death (Romans 6:23).

Confessing our sins and turning from them allows us to walk with God and experience His many blessings. God’s forgiveness is the greatest gift, for without it we could not experience all the richness of His grace as children of God (Romans 8:14-17).
Dig Deeper!

Can We Pray With You?

Prayer is central to our ministry as believers in Jesus as we carry eachother’s burdens and intercede for one another. Our team is honored to share the work of praying alongside you!

This Week's Lock Screen
Explore This Journey Theme!
July 10 - July 28, 2023 - Journey Theme #121

Join a GT POD!

Authentically living out a life of worship to the God who rescued us from darkness requires accountability and intentionality. Join a GT POD and take the next step in your faith journey!

Join the GT Facebook Community!
Free Registration!
Share Your Story!

The GT Weekend! ~ Whole Week 1

Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend! ~ Whole Week 1

Carol Graft

June 25, 2022

Christ,church,Faith,Forgiven,Freedom,Grace,GT Weekend,Healing

Rest your soul through reflective journaling,
praying Scripture,
and worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

This Week's Journeys

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Friday's DD

Pray His Words Back To Him!

1 Peter 5:6-11

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. Be sober minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. To him be dominion forever. Amen.
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Lord, I confess it’s difficult to be humble. Arrogance and self-love are always sneaking around my heart and it’s easy to get caught in the trap of false humility. Help me to become more disciplined in surrendering to You my anxiousness. Help me to lean steadfastly on You and the surety of Your unchanging Word every day, even every moment. I don’t want to let my guard down and give in to the cares of the world or the deceptive traps of the scheming enemy.

Lead me away from the temptation to flee my troubles without facing them and turn my heart toward worship. Make me aware of Your mercies and Your movement in my life as I surrender to You, waiting in trust for You. I know you hear me, see me, and guard me; teach me to rest here in these truths as I praise You!

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE
How often have you wished you could just run away and hide? 

There have been many moments like that for me. It sounds so easy and freeing to hide from the difficulties and stresses of everyday life. How wonderful to be able to hide from situations where I’ve messed up and don’t want to call more attention to myself. Running away and hiding might seem like a lovely thing to do if it would actually solve our problems, but it won’t.

Hiding, as Adam and Eve attempted to do, merely postpones the consequences.

From what have you wished you could hide? What part of your past do you wish was deleted and forgotten?

Have you ever brought these to the Lord? How do you imagine He would respond? Does Scripture support your answer?

Mandie reminded us on Monday that, when we attempt to hide, we end up focusing on the wrong things. Truth? We are never alone, and the Lord God is for us. 

No matter how broken, lost or anxious we feel, Jesus is constantly present with us. Christ came precisely for the hurting, the wounded, the lost, the broken, the sinner.

He isn’t afraid of our emotions, sadness, anger, or our questions. He isn’t shocked by the situations we find ourselves in, instead He endured the suffering of the cross to bring us redemptive healing.

Reflect on what it might be like for Jesus to take your surrender and make you whole! What would you give Him?
JOURNAL TWO
Our sister in Pakistan brought such insight from her experiences and urgently reminds us of the suffering Jesus promised would come to those who follow Him. Knowing the darkness of oppression exists is one thing, but seeing the face of the persecuted, hearing her story, and knowing she is paying a high price for following Jesus is entirely different.

There is a cost for every follower of Jesus, but not all look the same. What challenges have you faced for holding steadfast to Christ and choosing Him over the call of the world? In what way can you fervently intercede for others facing persecution for choosing Christ?

Oppression against Christianity takes many forms and is found all over the world. Though it may look different in your part of the world, it still exists. Oh, that those for whom following Jesus carries little to no physical threat would share Jesus as bravely as those brothers and sisters who endure significant oppression. 

Remember, we are all one Body in Jesus, highly persecuted or not. We must each continue sharing Christ together.

Keeping our hearts steadfast on Jesus, our eyes and minds in His word, communing in prayer and conversation with Jesus keeps us hopeful that one day oppression will cease and Christ’s kingdom will come. 

Selah. Let it be so.

JOURNAL THREE
What an encouraging and transparent Journey Study Melis shared with us this week! 

It is never easy to confess our sins and make known our areas of weakness, but in doing so, Melis reminded us we are not alone in our struggles.

When was the last time you confessed a sin to another brother or sister in Jesus? Are you participating in a community of believers where this is common? What was challenging to you personally about the discipline practices Melis described?

Training for following Jesus is so important and dramatically increases our focus on the Lord. Which spiritual disciplines have been particularly effective or challenging for you as you seek to follow the Lord?

Not sure what they look like? Take a peek at our Journey Theme: Training.

The Lord God never intended us to live the Christian life alone, which is why He designed us to hunger for iron-sharpening-iron friendships and community that press us into knowing Him more deeply.

Consider choosing a spiritual discipline that Melis listed and put it into practice in the coming week. Set up reminders on your phone, or better yet, invite a friend to join you! Whether you take a Sabbath rest, pick up a new journal, or set aside time to fast, the intentionality we invest into our relationship with the Lord always pays off!

May we each commit to doing whatever it takes to nourish and cultivate our relationship with God and keep our focus on Him as He shapes us to be more like Himself!
Tags :
Christ,forgiven,freedom,healing,hope,whole
Share This :

Recent Journeys

Join Us On The Journey!

Want encouragement
on the daily?
Registration gives you free, every day access to encouragement, weekly worship prompts, and daily Bible study that applies to real life.
Journey On!

Can We Pray With You?

Prayer is central to our ministry as believers in Jesus as we carry eachother’s burdens and intercede for one another. Our team is honored to share the work of praying alongside you!

This Week's Lock Screen
Explore This Journey Theme!
June 20 - July 8, 2022 - Journey Theme #109
Join the GT Facebook Community!
Free Registration!
Share Your Story!

The GT Weekend! ~ Sketched IX Week 2

Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) When Peter saw the beggar at the gate, he saw a man in need. It was apparent to all who saw him that this beggar had a physical problem which could only be fixed by divine healing. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, satisfied his need for physical healing, but he didn’t stop there! Peter invited everyone who saw this man’s healing to receive healing for their hearts. Because of Peter’s own experience, he knew their spiritual need was much more pressing than any physical need. Peter did not sweep their wrongdoings under the rug, but neither did he withhold mercy from them because of their sin. Peter told the crowds the good news of Jesus, inviting them to repent and find true healing for their hearts. What about you? Have you repented of your sins? Have you trusted in Jesus for spiritual healing? If not, what is holding you back? If you have received this healing, have you shared it with others? When we are healed from our physical ailments, we are quick to share with others our good news. Who can you tell today about your spiritual healing? Consider sharing your story with a neighbor, coworker, or even your social media friends. Go forth walking, and leaping, and praising God!

2) What drives you? Doubt? Fear? Passion? Truth? When Jesus calls you, how do you answer? When the world asks why you call yourself a Christian, how do you respond? Who do you say Jesus is? Peter walked with Jesus, answering His call day in and day out. Peter declared the truth of Jesus’ identity, and then denied Him. But in the end, Peter risked his very life to proclaim the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah, the Healer of the world. As you look at your life, are you walking with Jesus? Do you know who He is? Are you obeying His call on your life, and declaring His name to the people around you? Take some time today to write down who Jesus is to you. Look to Scripture to see what it reveals about His identity and how this lines up with your definition. Then, consider how His identity can change you. What does it mean to follow Jesus, and how can you grow in your walk with Him? Write a prayer to God asking Him to help you grow in your understanding of Jesus, and in your ability to follow His leading.

3) In yesterday’s journey, we were reminded of Peter’s continual struggle to obey. Even after walking with Jesus, seeing Him resurrected, and hearing directly from the Holy Spirit what was expected of him, Peter fell short. Part of living in a broken world is falling short of perfection. We desire to follow Jesus and we long to serve Him faithfully, but our human nature holds us back from perfect obedience. I read recently that the Holy Spirit enables us to obey, but He does not do the work for us. James 2:17 tells us “faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.” Where in your life are you struggling to obey God? Is there an issue in your life where you are putting your trust in earthly wisdom or the approval of others rather than trusting God’s way? Write a prayer of confession to God, and ask Him to enable you to trust Him and be obedient. Then take a step towards obedience. Maybe obedience looks like giving more generously to your church or having a hard conversation with a friend or family member. Whatever it is, show you believe God by walking in obedience to Him.

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Isaiah 53:4-6 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Yet He himself bore our sicknesses,
and He carried our pains;
but we in turn regarded Him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
But He was pierced because of our rebellion,
crushed because of our iniquities;
punishment for our peace was on Him,
and we are healed by His wounds.
We all went astray like sheep;
we all have turned to our own way;
and the Lord has punished Him
for the iniquity of us all.

Prayer Journal
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word. Thank You for telling us the true stories of Your followers. How comforting to know I am not alone in my struggles to follow You. As I consider the life of Peter, I see a man who was excited and ambitious to follow You, but still fell short. He wanted to obey, and even did miracles in Your name, but he was not a perfect man. Thank you for showing us that Your love for us is never ending. Help me to walk in obedience to You. I know on my own, I cannot follow or obey You. Lord, I believe in You. I believe Your plans are better than mine. Come and heal my heart. Transform me into a person who is driven by obedience and love for You. And when I fall short, as I often do, remind me of Your great love and compassion. Enable me to show Your love and compassion to those around me. Please help me to obey Your commands and to love my neighbor as myself.

Worship Through Community

Can we pray for you? Reach Out! We’d love to pray for and with you!
Send us an email at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com

Build community, be transparent, and encourage others:
Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Sketched IX Day 7 Heart Healer: Digging Deeper

2 Comments

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Heart Healer!

The Questions

1) According to this passage, what was Jesus like?

2) From this prophecy, what would Jesus eventually come to do and why?

3) What is our response to who Jesus is and what He did?

Isaiah 53:3-6

3 He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.

He was like someone people turned away from;

he was despised, and we didn’t value him.

4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses,

and he carried our pains;

but we in turn regarded him stricken,

struck down by God, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion,

crushed because of our iniquities;

punishment for our peace was on him,

and we are healed by his wounds.

6 We all went astray like sheep;

we all have turned to our own way;

and the Lord has punished him

for the iniquity of us all.

Original Intent

1) According to this passage, what was Jesus like?
If we strictly consider what God is revealing to us through this prophetic passage in Isaiah 53, Jesus was despised. This Hebrew word used, “בָּזָה”, means utterly worthless and worthy of scorn, vile, and contempt. He was rejected by men continuously throughout His public ministry on earth. Throughout the gospel accounts, Jesus was reviled when He engaged with the religious elite group, the Pharisees, but He was also held in contempt among even His own people as John testifies to in his gospel, “He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.” (John 1:11) The words in verse 3 of Isaiah 53 describe Jesus as a man acquainted with physical and mental pain. He knew sorrow and suffering. His life on earth was not immune to loss, rejection, or misunderstanding.

2) From this prophecy, what would Jesus eventually come to do and why?
The promised Messiah would one day come as God in human flesh to carry the sickness of our soul and our bodies, which results from our sin. All the sins which chronically eat away at our hearts and bring destruction around us, He came to take these sins and their consequences on Himself. He carries them, in the way one carries a burden or a heavy load. Christ hoists the impossibly heavy load of sin’s consequences completely off us and fully onto Himself. He restores us back to Himself now, and one day, when we are with Him forever, our bodies will also be fully restored and whole. Isaiah says He was pierced for our rebellion. He voluntarily allowed Himself to be slain to take on the sin of our rejection of God and His ways. Christ bears not only the impact of sin (illness), but also the root of sin (rebellion). He was crushed (shattered, broken into pieces) for our iniquities (perversity, depravity, evil acts). All this He did for the ultimate healing of our relationship with Him, “…we are healed by His wounds.” (Isaiah 53:5, Romans 5:6-11) The hope of restoring us back to Himself in wholeness spiritually, and one day, fully physically, were Jesus’ motivations for His grand rescue mission which brought His death. We, those who would believe in Him, were the joy set before Him for which He endured the cross! (Hebrews 12:2)

3) What is our response to who Jesus is and what He did?
Isaiah paints a picture with his Holy Spirit led words, foretelling how people will respond to Jesus and His lavish sacrifice, “despised and rejected (…) He was like someone people turned away from; He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.” (verse 3) We can look at Jesus as being rejected by God, as some did at the cross. When Jesus claimed to be God, mockers wrongly concluded that if God would not save him, Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah. (Matthew 27:43) Isaiah writes of the common condition shared by every human being, “We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way…” (verse 6) We all stray (wandering about because we were seduced or deceived to leave the way) from God, rejecting His ways to go our own ways. To know the freedom Jesus offers, but to continue in this straying is another response we can have to Jesus. This arrogance and pride will lead us far from God’s loving rescue. The third response Isaiah highlights is to be healed by Jesus’ wounds, “punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.” (verse 5) This Hebrew word for healed, ”רָפָה” means to be mended, cured, and made whole. Jesus takes the soul-brokenness we bring to Him and makes us whole.

Everyday Application

1) According to this passage, what was Jesus like?
When we think of Jesus, many images may come to mind. Usually of Him teaching or healing, spending time with His disciples, or even hanging on the cross. Rarely do our thoughts veer toward the imagery of Isaiah’s prophetic portrayal of the Messiah in Isaiah 53. Isaiah tells us he was despised (worthless and worthy of scorn, vile, and contempt). His very essence was viewed with such great repulsion, it caused many to turn away from Him. Usually we don’t think of Jesus in this way. We consider Him as the One Whom crowds followed. In fact, so many followed Him that He often slipped away (Luke 5:16), left quickly for another town (Matthew 5:1 and Matthew 8:18), or got into a boat to teach. (Luke 5:3, Mark 4:1) But here, in this ancient prophecy, we see another side of Jesus as the One rejected, scorned, and not given worth. We may want to think of Jesus’ rejection in terms of the days leading up to the cross, or the crowd crying out for a thief to be released in place of Jesus. (Luke 23:18) But Jesus is despised and rejected even today when people choose to keep chasing themselves instead of surrendering to His gracious goodness held out to them. Even those of us who believe Him, can still hold parts of ourselves back, choosing to reject His offer of redemption and grace. Scripture teaches that Jesus is familiar with suffering and rejection. He knows it deeply, yet He still gives Himself fully to all. Then, in remarkable love, when we suffer in this life, we can know with confidence that He sympathizes with us. (Hebrews 4:15) Let’s both give ourselves in full surrender to, and be richly comforted by, the Savior familiar with rejection and scorn.

2) From this prophecy, what would Jesus eventually come to do and why?
Jesus withstood the rejection of men and the abusive injustice of the cross because of the deep love He has for us. His love is not based on our works (Ephesians 2:9); nor is it given sparingly or with demand for repayment. (Ephesians 2:8) His love flows toward sinners, undeserving enemies, who have chosen to rebel against Him. (Romans 5:10) Yet, He takes on the sin of the world in order to win us back to Himself because He loves the world. (John 3:16) Every soul is precious to Him and He died for the opportunity for all to be reconciled to Him if they choose to respond in total surrender to Him. (2 Peter 3:9) This is His joy! A joy that willingly scorned the shame and pain of the cross, looking beyond it toward the redemption of His people. (Hebrews 12:2) We serve a sacrificing God who reaches into our lives to invite us into relationship with Him, even though we do not deserve Him or His love. We are His beloved, and He gives His all for us. He gave His all at the cross and He gives it still. Will we receive His redemption?

3) What is our response to who Jesus is and what He did?
Isaiah’s prophecy is ancient, but every person alive today still has the same responses available to them as those living in Isaiah’s day. We can outright reject Jesus, refusing His gift of salvation. This will result in our eternal death and separation from Him for eternity, forever distanced from His love and grace. Many do this because they view Jesus as weak or insufficient as the Isaiah passage illuminates. Others choose to reject Christ because they love the darkness instead of the light because their deeds are evil. (John 3:19) Even those who receive Jesus and His gift of salvation will reject Him and His ways at times, as we still desire to serve ourselves instead of God. Those times are when we go astray, giving into temptation and leaving God’s way for our way. When we do this, we are urged to confess our sin so He can cleanse and forgive us. When we repent from that sin (change our mind and actions away from the sin), and again choose to follow Him, we are confident that He has forgiven us and empowered us to keep on following Him. (1 John 1:9) The third response is to humbly receive Him (John 13:20), His love (Romans 5:5), and His leadership (John 14:15). When we trust Jesus, we open ourselves to Him and His healing touch in our hearts and lives. We abide with Him (John 15:4) and we become like Him. (Ephesians 4:13-15)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Heart Healer!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Sketched IX Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

The GT Weekend! ~ Questions 2 Week 3

Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) There is a pervasive and insidious lie in our culture today: people are basically good. Many of us believe this lie (to some extent) without even knowing it. We live as though we can make ourselves “good enough” and acceptable to the people around us, and ultimately to God. Shining light on this deception, God’s word reveals to us our need for a Savior by showing us how sinful we actually are. Without the work of Jesus, all our “good works” are like dirty rags (Isaiah 64:6). We need Him to cleanse us from our sins and make us right with God as only He can do because He is both fully divine and fully human. It is only through a relationship with Jesus we can find righteousness and be made whole. Consider today, dear sister, if there are areas in your life where you have convinced yourself you can make yourself good enough. Where have you denied God’s power in an attempt to fix yourself? What would it look like to invite Jesus into the broken places, and accept the truth that only He can make you right with God? Ask God to show you where you need His healing presence, and ask Him to help you accept His grace in the process.

2) How many times have we treated prayer like a cosmic vending machine? “If You give me X, then I will do Y.” Or “I will give anything if Your will just…” fill in the blank. It can be tempting in our moments of deepest longing and desperation to believe God is holding out on us or that we know better than He does. But in reality, God loves to give good gifts to His children. He doesn’t give half-baked plans or empty hope; He gives good and perfect gifts. What are you waiting for? Perhaps you are waiting for a husband, or a child, or a promotion at work. Maybe you are waiting for clarity for the next step you are supposed to take in life. How are you talking to God about those things? Have you fully surrendered your desires and trusted His goodness over your limited perspective? Or are you demanding, and attempting to manipulate, God into giving you the desires of your heart? Take some time to consider what it means that God gives good gifts. Be honest with God about your desires, then ask Him to give you a heart fully surrendered to His will.

3) What a wonderful thought that our God needs nothing! He is fully sufficient and does not rely on anyone or anything to help Him. While this thought can rightfully wound our pride, it should bring us comfort knowing He is fully self-sufficient. This truth frees Him to willfully choose to love us without condition! Our God loves us so much He chose to suffer and die for us, even though He was under no obligation to do so. What beautiful, breathtaking love! As the children’s song goes, “Jesus loves me, this I know!”. Not only does He love us, He also desires us. He desires a deep relationship with us, and He invites us to respond to His call. How will you respond? Where do you need His helping hand in your life? (Hint: everywhere!) Do you need to turn from your sin, and believe in Him for the first time? Do you need reassurance of His love for you? Do you need help overcoming sin and shame in your life? Do you need His enabling hand to help you walk in obedience to what He is calling you to? Write down one or two specific ways you know you need Jesus. Ask Him to be your Helper, and then walk in obedience to Him. Our all-sufficient God is delighted to sustain you!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Philippians 4:4-7 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer Journal
How great is Your love for me, oh God! You came down so low that I might be made right with You. You did not save me because of Your need, but because of Your love and desire to have a relationship with me, even though I had nothing to offer. Help me to constantly remember my need for You. Help me to abide in Your love through obedience to Your word. I acknowledge I so often fall short. I see my need when I sin against my friends, my neighbors, my family, and against You. I see my need when insecurity and self-sufficiency rule my thoughts. I see my need when I try to be good and fail. Please forgive me for my arrogance, and draw me into a closer relationship with You. Show me where I am still trying to do things on my own, and help me to trust in Your sufficiency. You are my only hope in life and death. Help me to rely on You in all things.

Worship Through Community

Can we pray for you? Reach Out! We’d love to pray for and with you!
Send us an email at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com

Build community, be transparent, and encourage others:
Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

The GT Weekend! ~ Follow Week 3

Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Children seem to be born to ask questions. Day in and day out, they are curious about the world and how it works, so they ask! But as children grow older, sometimes their questions can move from curiosity to challenging and disrespecting others. As we seek to learn more about the Lord,our questions can reveal our heart posture toward Him. Take a moment to think about the questions you have been asking God lately. Are you asking Him for guidance? Maybe you are questioning why certain things have happened in your life or the lives of loved ones. Have you been questioning His character or motivations? Write down some of the questions you find yourself asking lately or the questions that keep coming up in your life. Consider what these questions reveal about your heart. Are you seeking to know God, or justify yourself?Are you asking questions to get at the heart of God’s will or to protect your own will? How do you respond to the answers God gives (or chooses not to give)? Are you content with His ways, even when they are not your ways? Take some time to reflect on your questions and your heart attitude. Confess where you have fallen short, and ask God to continue to reveal His character to you.

2) Have you ever feared surrendering fully to God because you worried it would mean packing up and moving across the world? Or maybe you anxiously wondered if surrender would be equated with sudden poverty. Go ahead and take a minute to think about your pre-conceived ideas surrounding fully relinquishing all parts of your heart and life to Christ. Which areas is the Spirit bringing quickly to mind? You know, the ones you push away firmly and discount! (I know, because I’m doing the same thing!) Be willing to hold these close for a moment. Why do you fear surrender? Do you truly have control in this moment anyway? Do you truly believe the Lord is kind and good toward you at all times? Even in surrender? Consider the man living in the graveyard from Wednesday’s Journey Study. Ravaged by demons who sought to destroy him, this man was as good as dead to everyone who knew him. In what way do you see that your sin renders you to the graveyard like this man? Jesus brought healing, instant forgiveness, and sanity to a hopeless situation and the man’s response was a pleading for Jesus to take him away with Him. The man was seemingly willing to surrender everything about his home and family to follow Christ, but Jesus sent him home. Sometimes, well, often times, surrender doesn’t look like we expect, but Jesus knows precisely the best path to accomplish our obedient following. Are we willing to go?

3) Friday’s Journey Study closes with the question, “Where might God be calling us to use what He’s already given us for His glory?” As we looked at the character of Lydia, we saw a woman who was intentionally putting herself in a place to be exposed to the Word of God, even when it was potentially uncomfortable. Then, after hearing His Word, she responded in obedience. What steps do you need to take to be like Lydia? Are you making space in your life to hear the Word? This will look different in different seasons of life. Maybe you don’t have time to sit and read chapters at a time, but can you make time to listen to a chapter or two of Scripture while you make your lunch? Or maybe you do have time to read. Are you stewarding that time well? When you hear His word, are you responding in obedience, taking what you have learned and applying it to your life? Make time this week to truly evaluate your habits. Write down a plan for how you will make time to sit under God’s Word, and then how you remember to apply what He teaches you. Trust that He will bless the time you show up to learn from Him.

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Mark 8:34-35 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

And calling the crowd to Him with His disciples, He said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

Prayer Journal
Gracious God and Savior, You are so good to us. I will never cease to be amazed by Your patience and kindness toward me. Even in my doubts and questions, You are steady. Even when I demand my own way, You are forgiving. Even when I drift from You, You bring me back and welcome me with open arms. I know I fall short of Your standards. Thank You for making a way for me to be made right with You. Thank You for being able to withstand my questions. Thank You for being trustworthy as I submit my will to Yours. Thank You for being a God who draws near. Help me, oh Father, to be steadfast. Help me to learn from my questions, to humble my heart, and to draw near to You. Help me to not grow weary in doing good, but to seek You out in every area of my life. Let my life bring glory to You in every way.

Worship Through Community

Can we pray for you? Reach Out! We’d love to pray for and with you!
Send us an email at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com

Build community, be transparent, and encourage others:
Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Follow Day 6 A Time To Act

15 Comments

Read His Words Before Ours!

Nehemiah 1:1-2:5
Nehemiah 4:1-14
Nehemiah 6:15-16
Luke 10:30-37

Follow, Day 6

Life seemed to be going well for Nehemiah. As cupbearer to the Persian king, he was in a well-paid and influential position. He was highly respected, trusted enough to be privy to the king’s most important conversations, and even responsible for the king’s life. For a Jew in exile, his success was remarkable.

Yet when his brother arrives with news from Jerusalem, Nehemiah’s heart breaks.

After years of displacement, the Jewish people have finally been freed from captivity and permitted to return home, but all is not going well. Although the people are back in their land, the city walls remain in ruins and the gates have been burned to the ground. They are “in great trouble and disgrace.” (Nehemiah 1:3)

Presumably, Nehemiah’s success in Susa had led him to remain there, rather than choosing to return to Jerusalem, but the impact of his brother’s words is profound, revealing the concern Nehemiah still has for his homeland and people.

“When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.” (Nehemiah 1:4)

His prayer is passionate and heartfelt, appealing to God’s unfailing love and pleading for restoration.

Nehemiah’s compassion for the Jewish people and his grief over their situation also prompt him to act, and he asks God to grant him the king’s favour.

It is not until five months later that his opportunity comes, but it is clear the situation in Jerusalem has remained on his mind and in his heart. On this particular day, the depth of his sorrow becomes evident to the king, and as Nehemiah begins to explain the situation and request the king’s help, he demonstrates he has also thought through the details. He has a plan to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and he knows exactly what he will need from the king to turn his vision into reality.

It is a costly plan, one which means leaving the luxury of the palace to go on a long and arduous journey. It will involve effort and sacrifice.

Yet there seems to be no doubt in Nehemiah’s mind his passion and calling have come from God, and he knows his plan will only succeed by God’s grace. His compassion for the Jewish people and his desire for restoration mean he is willing to follow wherever God leads.

What about you? Is there a situation where you feel sorrow and compassion? A longing for justice or restoration?

Often, that’s a sign God is moving.

For me, one of those areas of compassion is women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. It breaks my heart to see the wounds inflicted on so many, and I long to point them to hope in Jesus and to see restoration. This passion has built over the years, even when I had no idea what to do with it. As with Nehemiah, it has involved seeking God, praying about each step, and waiting for the right moment.

One day, as I listened to the parable of the Good Samaritan, the familiar story struck me in a fresh way.  Just like the Samaritan, I was moved by compassion to take action, to do what I could to help the bruised and the broken, to be willing to inconvenience myself to help them to a place of healing. I knew I had to find a way.

Eventually, I completed a mentor training course with Journey to Heal Ministries and launched the programme in my church. Like Nehemiah before the king, I was terrified. It is difficult to raise a topic no one wants to talk about yet, I couldn’t let go of the call to “speak up for those who have no voice.” (Proverbs 31:8)

And like Nehemiah, I experienced God’s favour. I was able to begin mentoring someone straight away and I witnessed God’s healing power. Others came forward to offer help and support in various ways, and I saw God at work in ways I would never have imagined . . .

. . . And then COVID . . .

As I write, it has been six months since lockdown restrictions paused our work, and it may be several more months before it can resume.

In some ways, it’s comforting to recognise Nehemiah faced challenges, too. In his case, the difficulties came not from a global pandemic, but from people who opposed the rebuilding.  As soon as the work began, so did the mocking and reviling, and it continued throughout the rebuilding process.

Yet Nehemiah persevered. Despite facing ridicule, mocking, and even death threats, he was determined to keep looking to God and he encouraged the people to do the same. (Nehemiah 4:14)

He kept taking the next small step of obedience and,
one brick at a time, the wall was built.

What a day that must have been when, after 52 days of hard work (not to mention the months of prayer and preparation), the wall was finally finished!

Following God brings no guarantee of an easy life or a straightforward path, but Nehemiah’s story encourages us to keep seeking God for the next step, to follow where He leads, and to trust He will bring to completion the work He has begun.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
Join our Facebook Community!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Follow Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Follow!

Blessed Day 4 Blessed Are Those Who Mourn: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Blessed Are Those Who Mourn!

The Questions

1) What events caused King David to mourn so deeply before the Lord?

2) Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn…” What blessing was David praying for?

3) How did God comfort David?

Psalm 51:6-13

Surely you desire integrity in the inner self,
and you teach me wisdom deep within.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Turn your face away from my sins
and blot out all my guilt.

10 God, create a clean heart for me
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach the rebellious your ways,
and sinners will return to you.

Original Intent

1) What events caused King David to mourn so deeply before the Lord?
The prophet Nathan came to David one day telling him a story of two men: One poor, the other rich. The rich man had many sheep, but the poor man had only one lamb. The lamb was dear to the family and loved like a pet. One day, the rich man had a visitor and he needed to serve him dinner. But rather than slaughtering one of his own sheep, he took the poor man’s sheep and served it to his guest. When King David heard this story, he was furious. Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!’” (2 Samuel 12:7-9) The whole sordid story can be found in 2 Samuel 11-12. When Nathan confronted David with his sin, David was immediately mournful and confessed his sin before God. David wasn’t repentant because he had been caught in his sin, but he realized he had sinned against God. His fellowship with God had been severed; this is what caused his great mourning.

2) Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn…” What blessing was David praying for?
David’s sin was crushing his soul during this time. He must have been relieved to be found out and his sin exposed because this is when healing of our hearts can begin. In the many months between the time when David committed these sins and his confession, he had not escaped the sense of sin, it was always before him. (verse 3) He could not escape his sinfulness. He was miserable in his sin, as a child of God should be. (Guzik) When Nathan confronted him, he became very aware of the heaviness of heart that had been there all along. He knew his body ached to have that fellowship once again with the Father. In Psalm 32:3-4, David writes, “When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat.” David desired to be cleansed from his sin and his sin blotted out. He wanted to be able to rejoice in the Lord once again. (Psalm 51:7-9). Again, we see in Psalm 32, he wrote of how good it is to be forgiven. “How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven; whose sin is covered! How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit!”

3) How did God comfort David?
God comforted David foremost by returning His Spirit to David. His spirit was made right with God giving him the fellowship he desired once again. Though his son would die, God did not take Bathsheba away from him; indeed, their second son, Solomon, became the next king of Israel and God allowed Solomon the privilege of building the temple. God kept his promise to keep David’s family in the throne of Israel. David had a third son with Bathsheba, Nathan, who is the son in which the line of David (through Mary) would bring Jesus into the World. (Luke 3:23-38) What a comfort to have a new spirit, David was once again willing to serve God as He prescribed. David was again able to teach others about the joy of salvation and to sing of His righteousness and declare God’s praise. And ultimately, draw others to God.

Everyday Application

1) What events caused King David to mourn so deeply before the Lord?
The prophet Nathan came to David and confronted him about his sin. And David mourned. While we may have leaders or friends we are accountable to, more deeply, we have the Holy Spirit living within every believer, guiding our actions and convicting us of sin. If we are in tune with the Spirit, we mourn when we realize we have allowed sin to creep into our lives. The Apostle Paul mourned at his inability to please God. He wrote how we all know what is right, but we don’t do it. (Romans 7:14-25) Just as David cried out in Psalm 51, so did Paul cry out his mournful repentance. We also struggle with our carnal nature in keeping God’s law. C.S. Lewis said, “No man knows how bad he is until he has tried to be good.” (Enduring Word, Romans 7) But Praise God! “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3) After we are saved, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, guides us, and convicts us of sin. We could not follow Jesus without His power. However, we cannot experience His power without totally yielding to Him. From the moment of spiritual birth, the Holy Spirit indwells, or resides in, every Christian. But to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, we must, as an act of our wills, completely surrender our lives in obedience to Christ. (Vonette Bright, CRU, Campus Crusade for Christ)

2) Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn…” What blessing was David praying for?
The Apostle Paul shares with us in Romans 5:1-5 some of the blessings of our salvation.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God… But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:20-21 There is no greater blessing than the joy found in forgiveness. Bill Gaither wrote, “Oh the joy that floods my soul!” A new song bubbles up with joy in our heart when we are forgiven and cleansed forever. And the Victory! He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood! (Bartlett). What a treasure we have in this wonderful peace… For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day, And His glory is flooding my soul!” (Cornel) What a blessing to be found in Christ. Have you found the joy of salvation? Have you mourned over your sin and repented to God?

3) God comforted David. How does God comfort us?
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. When we sin against God and hurt others, it is as if we can’t breathe. I remember times when I have hurt others, I was afraid to go to them and confess. I feared their rejection and possible retaliation. But once I confessed and received that forgiveness, I could breathe again. My fear disappeared; my heart was comforted in the restoration of fellowship and a wonderful peace overtook my spirit. While believers never need to fear that the Holy Spirit will be removed from us, He is our permanent seal, our fellowship with God through the Spirit can be estranged and broken by our sin.
Yesterday, in her Journey Study, Lori said, “on the other side of mourning are abundant blessings.” Revelation 21:4 reminds us, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more.”  Our vision is clouded by the sin we allow to persist by not fully addressing it or trying to excuse it. But if we are faithful to humble ourselves (I mean true, honest to goodness, on-our-knees-humbling ourselves) before God, then He is faithful to wipe away our tears and forgive our sin (1 John 1:9).  What a comfort to be completely forgiven and filled with His Spirit. And what an even greater comfort on the day when He wipes away every tear from our eyes forever!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Blessed Are Those Who Mourn!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Blessed Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.