Today's Devotional:
"WOUNDED"
by
Jan Andersen
When dealing with relationships on a long term basis, there will always be the chance of disagreements and doubts about the connection. Even when dealing with our loved ones, there will be bumps and bruises along the way. It is not necessarily an indicator of deliberate or intentional harming of each other, but rather an almost inevitable colliding of differences. In fact it often seems as though the closer you are to someone the more likely there is to be misunderstandings or hurt feelings, even when striving to be lovingly supportive, honest and transparent. Someone is bound to feel wounded at some point. Sometimes that leads to the wounded person striking back and hurting the other, which can just complicate matters and make things spiral out of control.
Other wounds are intentionally inflicted. They can come from enemies seeking to destroy us, or strangers hoping to steel something, or those we thought were close to us but have too many issues of their own to sustain a loving relationship. Sometimes we even wound ourselves either through our internalized barrage of berating thoughts, or external infliction of self harming activities or addictions. Any of these traumas can leave lasting physical and emotional scars.
Wounds are typically not something we love to receive. They are painful and scarring. Being wounded can cause us to shy away from things out of fear of being harmed again. Repeated trauma can cause such distress that we become dysfunctional in life. But there is one who was wounded willingly for us, in our place. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, died in our place as payment for our sins. With a crown of thorns piercing his head, He was nailed to a cross, and a spear was even thrust into his side. Our Savior was wounded because of our wrongdoings. He did not deserve the torn flesh, the crucifixion nails or the spear, yet he endured them for our own salvation. His wounds are good - healing us from our own brokenness. Ironically, by his wounds we are healed!
Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed."
Dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we thank you for the tremendous sacrifice you made by giving your life in our place on the cross. Your bleeding wounds and death on the cross are the balm for our souls, healing us from all sinfulness and making us righteous in your sight. Even as we daily continue to sin against you, out of your great love for all people you continue to freely offer us your forgiveness. Help us to live a life worthy of your love, dying to sin and living for righteousness, and witnessing to others so that they too may experience the healing you desire. In your name we pray, Amen.
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I love watching the "Jesus Painter" as he creates large portraits of Jesus. Watch him as he paints with the song "By His Wounds" in the background:
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Prayers are lifted up daily for
you by the Devotional Writers
and the Monthly Writing Staff
of Women's Focus Ministries.
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