Health, Our High Priest, part four

One of my son's said, "Mom, it cost Jesus something to heal people. Matthew 8:16 shows the healing power of Jesus, "...and healed all that were sick" and verse 17 shows what it cost Him. "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."  The word bare means: to lift, to take up.  He not only took our sin but He took our sickness too."

• “Christ alone was able to bear the afflictions of the many. In all their affliction He was afflicted (Isaiah 63:9). He never bore disease in His own flesh but He carried the sickness of others. With tenderest sympathy He looked upon the suffering ones who pressed about Him. He groaned in spirit as He saw the work of Satan revealed in all their woe and He made every case of need and of sorrow His own. No multiplicity of numbers distracted Him, no anguish overwhelmed Him, with a power that never quailed he cast out the evil spirits that possessed mind and body while the pain of the sufferers thrilled through his whole being. The power of love was in all his healing, he identified his interests with suffering humanity…" (That I May Know Him pg. 48)
• "Christ feels the woes of every sufferer, when fever is burning up the life current He feels the agony." DA 823
• "And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years...touched His garment...And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up...And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned Him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?" (Mark 5:25-30)

Question....  

Is it only sickness relieved by miraculous healing that Jesus bears?

Of course not; reason tells us that "He healeth all thy diseases". (Psalm 103:3)  But do we believe that when the household pandemic, rhinovirus,  steals our rest?  Do we praise God because Jesus feels our suffering when we cant breathe and our joints are throbbing? Are we confident He is bearing our sickness when about to fall asleep and are suddenly choked awake by a coughing fit?  Where is health then?  Is it something we wait for while our white blood cell count returns to normal? 

I propose that Health is with us, feeling the pain of our little annoyance, (because after all a cold is just a small thing).  But He is with us, groaning in spirit as He sees the work sickness reveals in our bodies.  He says, "I am right here, and I will heal you."  Whether in an instant, or over the course of a week, health is a miracle paid for by Christ's sacrifice.  

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which canot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities..."  Hebrews 4:14, 15  

Afterglow, Our High Priest, part three

af-ter-glow

noun

The atmospheric glow that remains for a short time after sunset.

Yes, the wonderful lingering glow of speaking with my daughter yesterday (see Every Page, part two) lighted the night and remains today.  The joy was actually a physical phenomenon.  My chest seemed filled with electricity that wanted to shine out of my skin, just like the apostles walking the Emmaus road, "did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way?" (Luke 24:32)

Last night, as I bowed my head in gratitude, a question popped into my head. "Do you think God feels the same way when He gets to communicate with you?" 

Wow!  New thought...Does God's heart burn within Him when I spend time communicating with Him?  The logical answer is yes, but, think about it... 

Creator of the universe, King of glory, General of legions of mighty angels responds to me talking with Him by His eyes filling with happy tears and His heart feeling like it will burst with joy.  He rehearses the things I say with the angels around the throne.  And they in turn gather around the "computer screen" watching as the conversation progresses.  And the next day as I wake up, His big heart still carries the embers of our conversation. 

Another new thought...Wouldn't it be great to purposely make God's great heart sing with joy every day? To kindle the cinders in His heart and know that radiant supernova's will spring from His joy?  To watch as the light waves illuminate the darkness in this world. Oh, amazing, that we have power to touch the heart of God!  But it is reasonable, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with...feeling..." (Hebrews 4:15)

Every Page, (part two)

"God’s holy, educating Spirit is in His word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth from every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to the soul." Ellen G White – {COL 132.2}

In my first post entitled Every Page  I shared from my journal, how God uses the Bible to candidly speak to us about our personal lives.  Today, I will share a situation that occurred earlier today.Now, just to let you know how the Lord speaks to my soul, each morning after prayer I write in my journal and unburden my heart before my Father.  Afterwards I go to my regularly scheduled Bible Study.  I ask Him to bring to light what He wishes to communicate to me in the scheduled reading.  This is what happened yesterday.

I should preface this by saying that my daughter is in Southeast Asia. This is her first time away from home.  On her way there communication was sketchy, she ended up having to sleep overnight in the Bankok airport, and once she arrived at her destination we received news she was safe, but not from her.  A couple of days later, we got two cryptic emails from her that there were problems with internet. It was not until 8 days after leaving her at Chicago, Ohare Airport, that I was confident she was safe and that was only when we were able to speak on Face Time.  At that time we made an appointment to speak on Face Time for this morning.

Needless to say: this "Helicopter" Mom was on hyper-alert during the first week she was away and I spoke to God about that this morning.

September 16, 2012
Before I read in the Bible Lord, I thank you for showing me how "hyper-vigilant" I was when I could not be in touch with Nikki...I suspect that I will be put to the test today if she does not call on Face Time.  I ask for a lovely, meek and trusting heart....

I did not even finish the sentence when the Face Time tone rang... Joy filled me at the thought of seeing my little girl on line!  But the connection would not work.  We tried for 30 minutes.  Then she had to stop trying.  I do not know what the "rules" about internet access are where she is, but she could not chat on her email and was only able to send a note saying that we would have to try later and that her heart was sorrowing.  The sound of her heart cry broke my heart...it still does' but I took her tears and my own to the Lord.

Back to my journal:

...So quickly the test came for her and me...The wifi connection failed.  Her email breaks my heart.  Please come very close to her and comfort her.  Especially as she goes to bed.  Let your light fill her room.  I know that in time she will be all right and I thank you for that.

1 Kings 17:18 "And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God?  Art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and slay my son?"
This poor woman lost all contact with her child, even though she had been God's obedient servant; but You dear Father restored that connection. I thank you for my daughters small trial, it will strengthen her. Let large and plenteous fruit grow from this experience.  Develop all that is possible from this disappointment and comfort her, just as you have comforted me. Play songs of gratitude in her heart and help her catch the strain of the melodies.
1 Kings 17:19 "And he said unto her, Give me thy son...And he took him out of her bosom.."
This is the only way to get our children "back"; to yield them up to You without reservation.  Please speak to her as clearly as You are speaking to me.  Will you please do that?  Today?  You are a FAther who loves communion with His children...I thank you.  I know you will be with her.
1 Kings 17:21 "O Lord my God, I pray Thee, let this child's soul come into him again."
I pray for Your Holy Spirit to come into her and keep her.  Elijah begged this three times and then the answer came.  I already sense Your comfort through these verses.  Is there more I need to ask for her?
1 Kings 17:24 "Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth."
I ask that through this situation she know that Your words are true, and that she will not only find comfort but a clearer knowledge of Your presence.

Gentle Reader, what is God waiting to communicate with you on Every Page?

We spoke with Nikki at 7:30 pm and all our hearts are filled with filial love.

Reality Check, Our High Priest, part two

"Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.  And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life..." (1 Kings 19: 2,3)

Elijah ran, not because of Jezebel's threat, for she was a beaten foe.  He ran because he was discouraged and beaten in his mind.  Reality said, victory; but Elijah's thoughts said, defeat. And even though Elijah had distorted thinking God sent help.  Not help to bring Elijah back to the battle, rather He sent an angel to sustain Elijah as he ran away from duty.  That seems counter intuitive. But God does not deal in human logic or intuition.  God deals with the heart and Elijah's heart said, danger.

As Elijah ran he prayed, "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life...." (1 Kings 19:4)
The Bible says, "And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God." (1Kings 19:7, 8)  God knew that Elijah's feelings were real, He knew the situation was too much for him and he could not see past the danger. So the angel gave him heavenly food that sustained him for forty days and nights  What is interesting is that God did not even try to change Elijah's distorted thinking, instead He spent over six weeks with Elijah strengthening him, blessing him, and loving him.

James 5:17 says "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are..."  That tells me what I already know, that you and I are both plagued by distorted thinking.  Sometimes in victory our minds say defeat.  But the Lord identifies with our thoughts and feelings, whether real or fiction.  He may not encourge distorted thinking, but He understands it. He yearns to free us from it, but does not condemn us for it, because He is a man and knows what is common to mankind.  "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."  (Hebrews 4:15)

Holding Hands, Our High Priest, part one

Sometimes the earth is the only comfort left.  You slump down on the ground and cry "Abba, Father, Oh help my battered soul.  Heal my wounded spirit and clean me! Dust is what I am and to this dust I return."

Those are solitary times, and comfort is not found in crowds, friends or loved ones.  If you lay there long enough the sky grows dark, the temperature drops and the dew mingles with your tears.  As your hand clutches another fistful of Earth you are startled to feel flesh, soft and warm flesh.  Then you know that in that night without light, Jesus has been laying in the dirt with you. "He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed." (Matthew 26:39)  Oh, the dawn may not rise and the murky night may deepen, but Jesus is right there, for He is not a "High Priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities..." (Hebrews 4:15)  And all through the remaining darkness you hold hands with Comfort.

Side Effects

My husband and son were rough-housing, something they enjoy and I will never understand.  From the other room, I heard laughter then sudden silence.  When I came out to see, Daniel was sitting on the couch holding his thumb.
     "What happened", I asked?
     He said, "I accidentally fell and hurt my thumb."
After a quick assessment I said, "You should go to the emergency room, I think it is broken."

Yes, it was broken. But the healing is progressing nicely and the doctor is optimistic, even though he said this type of fracture does not usually heal without surgery.  We are grateful for the wonderful blessing of modern medicine and God's power.  But...

There are issues with Daniel's treatment. First, there is the lack of mobility. He cannot effectively do his job at work, or tie his shoes etc.  Secondly, he cannot get the cast wet; which demands creative bathing. These inconveniences do not really bother him or us. But there is one problem that is concerning, "cast odor".  Of course, the odor is normal.  Under the cast, skin is still sloughing and sweat is still accumulating, which causes the smell.  Even though it is not a powerful aroma, it is sometimes noticeable on a passing waft of air.  Why is it that healing always has side effects?  Whether its pain, swelling or a musty smell, getting better has it's down side.

In the spiritual realm, getting better also has it's down side. The braces that help us walk on the straight and narrow seem confining. We have to learn to be creative in how we think and speak.  And strong self discipline is needed to deny the cravings of our perverted hearts. But the worst most discouraging side effect of this healing process is that when Jesus exposes the rottenness of our souls, the stench can be nauseating.  And in sadness I have to say, that in my rehab the fetid scent not only affects me, it also permeates the atmosphere around me.  It clings to those I love and even those I don't love. With Paul I cry "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this (stinking) death?"

But unlike Daniel's orthopedic surgeon, my physician has a solution for the smells of healing and I believe in His cleansing promise: Hosea 14:4-7

"I will heal their backsliding,
     I will love them freely...
I will be as the dew unto Israel:
    He shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
His branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the olive tree,
    And his smell as Lebanon.
They that dwell under his shadow shall return;
   They shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine:
The scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon."
                                                   

Scars, part two

The song says,

"Forgive the hurts our selfishness inflicted
On those we love and those who love us best.
Christ, heal the scars and draw us all together
In Him whose will is peace and joy and rest."

Beautiful.  I love the song and the singers, but the car window was open and through the wind I heard; "Christ, heal the scars that draw us all together"  It was an epiphany or as defined - the manifestation of Christ.

We all do it more often then we wish.  We injure those who are dearest to us and in the delicate fabric of their hearts we leave open wounds.  Their life oozes out and bacteria storms into the bloody canyons.  But I praise God for Christ who is the scar tissue, so to speak.

Both normal skin and scars are made of collagen proteins.  They look different because the proteins are arranged differently.  In normal skin the proteins overlap like a net or mesh.  In scar tissue they are lined up in one direction, like soldiers. Although scars are made up of the same fabric as skin their job description is greater than that of regular skin.  Scars heal wounds.  They narrow the distance between separate parts. And through the mercy of our wonderful Father, Jesus restores the integrity of love.  He narrows the distance between wounded hearts. How can I not love this God; "the repairer of the breach".

A Heart Like Hannah's

"And Hannah prayed and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord... because I rejoice in thy salvation.  There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God...He will keep the feet of His saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.  The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall He thunder upon them; the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and He shall give strength unto His king and exalt the horn of His anointed.  And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the Lord..." 1 Samuel 2:1-11

I sent my daughter, my only daughter, off on God's errand.  While she was still home I asked the Lord to knit my heart like Hannah's.  I asked for the blessing of joy in sorrow, I asked to praise Him as I sent my girl away for a year.

My Girl dreamt of the faraway and beyond.
By God's grace now she is there.

The things that the Lord can do in us are beyond understanding.  My heart was full of thoughts of what He would accomplish in her and through her.   I was so proud of her as she walked through security  with purpose and determination.  She did not look back in longing sorrow.  She went forward answering God's call.  She walked away from us like a warrior on a mission.  She grew between the TSA passport check and the metal detector.  What a beautiful thing to behold in my little girl.  She left us in the strength of the Lord. We watched her go, with praise in our mouths for God's goodness and the salvation of those He will reach through her work.