What if He really will do it?

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Selfcare”

Our Bible verse for today: “The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners … to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair.” Isaiah 61:1;3 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “What if He really will do it?”

In chapter four of the Gospel of Luke we read of the time Jesus entered the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth. Being a popular Rabbi, He was offered the opportunity to read a passage of Scripture from the prophet Isaiah, and to say something to the people. He chose the passage above from Isaiah chapter 61 and after reading it He declared it to have been written about Him.

It was true. Jesus came to bring good news to those in need; to heal the brokenhearted and despondent; to give freedom to those in spiritual bondage; and to offer the people a life characterized by inner beauty, a joyful spirit, and victory over the daily grind of life. It was to be a life characterized by what the Apostle Paul would one day label as “the fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus expressed the truth of Isaiah 61:1-3 in the form of a compelling invitation: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden in light.”

If I can paraphrase what Jesus just told us and put it into contemporary language: “I will restore the devastation in your life and replace it with beauty. I will bring joy into the middle of your deep sorrow. I will help you gain freedom over the addictions and behaviors that have kept you enslaved and which have been ruining your life. In Me you will find true freedom and true fullness of life.”

What if it is true? What if Jesus can and really will do that for you? What are you missing because you stubbornly continue to direct your own life, carry your own burdens, and insist on doing things your way instead of His way? What if Jesus really can and will heal your heart and restore your life but you’re missing it because you won’t submit and surrender to Him?

The promise is true and Jesus will do what He said. But the next more is yours. What if He really will do it?

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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