Lift My Friend

Contacting an old friend revealed scars so deep that an innocent conversation caused pains of her past to resurface. My heart was broken as I learned of the bruises on her soul. She had been forced down certain paths that question the existence of the Holy One who saves wretches like me, who has been so close at times that this feeble flesh nearly collapsed from mere moments in His presence.

Broken pieces were scattered in the darkest corners and evil relishes in the brokenness. Yet, Jesus overcame evil, took on our bruises, bore our scars and left pain and death in the grave. Hallelujah. No one on this side of heaven has fallen so far to be out of the reach of His Great Love and His Redeeming.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10 – NIV

I do not know how so much bad can happen to such good people or any people for that matter. I do not understand God’s timing in pain being soothed or sickness healed. I do know He is near to the broken-hearted for I, myself, have crumbled under the weight of sin (both my own and otherwise) only to be lifted by the Hands of God. I have heard Him speak, seen Him bless and have felt His comfort in times of trial. Yet, I fear my faith is not strong enough to drive out the demons that haunt this beloved child of God. The disciples faced a similar challenge when a man brought his son to Jesus.

“I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment … Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith.” Matthew 17:16,18-20 NIV

In the struggle of faith over fear, the Lord spoke to me by His words:

Apart from Me, you can do nothing John 15:5 NIV
(You) can do all things through Christ who strengthens (you).  Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Do you believe this?    
Yes, I believe.
Why did you doubt? Matthew 14:31     I have never seen a mountain move.
Yet you have seen molehills tremble. Each is the same to Me.
Ask, it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 NIV

Ask, Seek and Knock.

Lord Jesus, I pray the power of Your Great Love will dispel the demons that dwell in the memories of my dear friend, that Your Immeasurable Grace may bring peace to her aching soul. Gather the shards and restore the masterpiece that is her precious heart that she may again hear Your tender voice. Lord, I lift my friend to You.

Amen…

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