God’s Word Heals Your Hurts
He sent out his word and healed them…(Psalm 107:20)
Scripture is a healing balm to the hurting heart. As its truths ruminate in our distressed minds, they bring stability to our faith, and warmly nestle into our inner person.
Who is not comforted by promises such as these?
…fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
But the Word of God is also like a razor-sharp scalpel in the hands of a skillful, caring surgeon (Hebrews 4:12). It wounds in order that he might heal. That’s the context of the verse at the top of the page. When the people of God “cried to the Lord in their trouble…he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction” (Psalm 107:19-20). In this case, the trouble the people of God were experiencing was the result of their own foolishness. Two verses earlier it says, “Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction” (Psalm 107:17). Personally, I have experienced this at times.
By nature we are all like sheep. At times we wander. We go astray. Or we just find ourselves vulnerable, facing danger and trouble (Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 23). Therefore, if we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that sometimes the sorrows we experience are the consequence of our own foolishness. But even when this is the case, it is amazing how gentle the Lord is with his sheep. He sends us his word, which corrects us, in order to heal us. I love the way Isaiah describes the tender way God protects and cares for his own.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)
God has sent out his word to heal you. Are you reading it, and listening?
