"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains in the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon Him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon Him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."
I remember a day that I was in a therapy session and it was after my divorce. My counselor asked me, "Don't you know anyone who has already gone through this? They could be such a great help to you". But the truth was I didn't personally know any other person who was divorced.
Her words stuck with me though and I kept thinking about it and then I thought about this scripture. If I understood it correctly what it was saying to me was that the Lord suffered all our pains and He understands us. No matter what is going on in our life, He understands what it is and what it is doing to us. Therefore He can help us. I didn't have to have another person who was divorced to help me. I had the Savior who understood all my pain.
From that point on in my life, my prayers were a lot more real than they had. I know that I had prayed and poured out my heart before. But when I wasn't in terrible pain I reverted to "saying" prayers. I don't think I ever shared with the Lord everything that was going on inside. From this point forward He became my safe place, the person with whom I could share everything. It was so wonderful to have such a friend.
I think that's why I have always loved the hymn, "What a Friend we Have in Jesus". That hymn is just so personal.
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
I wrote this poem after that experience. I would wish for everyone that they could learn to make the Lord their best friend.
Only God Knows Me
I am so grateful to know
I have a loving Heavenly Father
who knows me personally.
There is so much of my
inward life that only He knows.
I would not want to share
this part of me with others .
And yet I have the need to talk,
To admit my weaknesses
To confess my sins
To look at the childish mistakes of my past
To see the growth over years
To celebrate that growth
To acknowledge the One
who has touched my life
and softened my heart
And bestowed gifts upon me.
Forgiveness, Charity,
Trust and Faith
I am filled with joy
Just to know He is there.
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