From the Edges – Morning Devotions
Pastor Calvin Cook
Lent – Day 29 – Restoration Focus
Scripture focus – Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul and forget not all his benefits who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Thinking about those this morning that are struggling with health concerns who are struggling through sickness. I have been specific this morning for some with some rather serious health issues and stand in need of healing. While calling out these names before the Lord this morning, included in my prayer was a restoration of mind, body, and most importantly soul. That their hearts might be restored and renewed until once again the soul feels like it did when first coming to the grace of God.
These prayers are being sent for a variety of health, emotional, and soul concerns for people of all ages. In this community we seem at this point to have quite a few young people that we are praying for. While I write this my prayer list is coming to mind and I am praying for others.
While I pray, I am trying to understand. Why does sickness happen? Why does it happen in the way it does, at the time it does? I have no good answer other than in the midst of every situation God is there and present. God is fighting the battle for us and with us. We are comforted by the presence of the Holy Spirit. All of these are God’s promises to us, promises kept. There was never a promise of our physical bodies to be free of pain. However there always has been the promise of preservation of our soul.
In restoration of our soul which is what becomes important is as Psalm 103:1-5 reminds us – to Praise the Lord with our everything not just in a strong outward front but in our innermost being and moments. In the quietness of our life – giving thanks and praise to God will become comforting and soul rendering. Remembering the forgiveness of sin and benefits of being in a relationship with the creator of the universe. A focus on all things pleasing, honorable, trustworthy, and praiseworthy. Sickness is none of these – healing of the body, mind, and soul is. May we focus on the ultimate healing received through God’s love.
Still, I know, not much of this will matter, when cancer invades our bodies, when heart problems steal our being, when we can no longer run and walk like the days of our youth, when our minds are stolen by dementia and alzheimer’s. Still in the midst of all of these things I have witnessed and testify that the Spirit of God that lives in us is greater than that which overcomes us, stronger than sickness or disease. Claim that Spirit through Christ the Lord and be overcome by his promise.
When my Mother was dying with Cancer in 1990, and in the dark nights when I was trying to come with grips with what all this cancer, hospice, and everything associated meant. All of the sudden I would hear my mother sing, the words from one of her favorite hymns – Beulah Land
“Far away the noise of strife upon my ear is falling; Then I know the sins of earth beset on every hand; Doubt and fear and things of earth in vain to me are calling; None of these shall move me from Beulah Land. I’m living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky, I’m drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry; Oh, yes! I’m feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply, For I am dwelling in Beulah Land.”
Truly through this life with a strong faith we will receive restoration of mind, body, and soul but it doesn’t help us when we see our family, loved ones, friends, neighbors going through these health events. What I believe will help in these times is to focus on Jesus, trusting and praising Jesus even in the storm.
May this prayer bring you comfort and hope this morning as you pray it from 3John 1:2 –
I pray for (insert name) that all may go well with (insert name) and (his/her) health might be restored. I pray also for the restoration of (insert name) soul. –
Have a great day – and by the way – don’t rush your prayer time with God and don’t try to manage God. Peace to you!
Thoughts from the Edges 
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