HEALING

 

Psalm 34:17–22

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

 

1.      When we are in trouble or difficulty our first response should not be looking to our own wisdom, creativity, thinking processes and resources.  We should not look to friends, neighbors, or government.  We should talk to God about it and immediate we are putting into motion divine help assistance and resources.  Remember God can and will supply every need according to his riches in glory.

2.      David says here that the Lord will do two things.  He hears.  Remember the Lord hand is not so short that he cannot saved or his ear so deaf that he cannot hear.  Is 59:1, 2 Chron 7:14 reminds us when we humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, God will hear, forgive and heal our land. 

3.      God delivers.  He will pick us up and frees us from all our trouble.  Whether physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, financial, and family.  He will meet our need for shelter, clothing, food, and transportation.  Trouble comes and the Lord delivers.  Talk about the Gadarene Demoniac.

 

The LORD is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

 

1.      The Lord is near to the broken hearted.  He knows our hearts can be broken.  Usually by someone we respect, trust and love.  Betrayal happens.  Believe for the best and never be surprised by the worst.  Walk in instant and immediate forgiveness.  No matter what anyone does to you will not do the same.  I love the advice given in much a do about nothing.  Love those who love you, serve God and mend.  David assumes that people will be hurt and that happens when you interact with people. 

2.      Matt 22:37, has great advice, love God will all you heart, love yourself and your neighbor. 

3.      God saves the crushed in spirit.  Sometimes the hurt is so deep it goes to the deepest core of our being.  God will save us.  He with not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to endure but gives us a means of escape.  2 Tim 1:7 remind us that God has not given us a spirit of fear but love, power, and a sound mind.  Love produces power with bring soundness in mind.  God is concerned about your mental health.  Talk about the woman who came for prayer in Yellowknife and two weeks later she reported a turn around in her life. 

 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

 

1.      David acknowledges that there are problems, afflictions, and trouble in the life of the righteous.  They come from three sources.  The devil who tries to rob, kill, and destroy us.  His method is accusation, deception, and temptation.  The word which uses, pride, pleasure, and possessions to trap us.  Lastly ourselves which is our need for self esteem, security, and significance.  These are traps, snares and pits that can enslave, confuse, and confound us. 

2.      David saves that the Lord can deliver us from all of them.  This is a promise combined with Prov 3:5-6, which tells us trust the Lord and do not lean to our own understanding but simply acknowledge Him and he will direct our path.  We have divine assistance and help.  Let us access it and apply it.  Talk about Peter and the lame man.

 

He keeps all his bones. not one of them is broken.

 

1.      This phrase has both a literal meaning and a spiritual application.  The literal meaning is that God will keep you from physical harm.  I have had more accidents in vehicles and motorcycles than I care to remember but not once have I been harmed.  I am grateful.  Talk about the time I went over the handlebars of my bicycle in Wide water.  Now if you have been physically harmed, I am sorry it happened.  I am not saying it could not happen to me. 

2.      The second application is that God will not allow the structure of your life to be broken.  We are talking about your physical, spiritual, emotion and intellectual structure to be broken.  Who you are and what you shall become will not be broken.  In Him you will be stronger, wiser, more creative, resourceful, and determined than you ever thought you could.  David was chased by Saul for eight years.

 

Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

 

1.      David makes this statement about the reality of the wicked.  Affliction will slay the righteous.  This is not a statement of hatred or revenge.  It is a statement of fact.  You reap what you sow.  We see that played out over and over in the streets of our community.  Fact: it you drink and drive you can kill someone.  Fact:  If you smoke you can get lung cancer.  Fact:  If you eat to much of the wrong food, you can get diabetes, food related problems and be overweight.  Fact:  If you do not exercise the chances of dying younger than you should happen.  David issues this as a warning and exhortation to better your life.

2.      Those who hate the righteous will be condemned.  Paul learned a powerful truth when Jesus told him that when he was persecuting the church, he was persecuting Jesus.  God protects, rescues, and helps his people.  This is both a present and future reality.  Talk about this in your own life.

 

The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

 

1.      The Lord redeems buys us back from sin and its consequences.  Redemption is J the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. It is the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt.   Jesus did that on the cross.  As his people, family, and servants he gave his life that we might have life in abundance.

2.      When we take refuge and safety in the Lord will not be condemned or face condemnation.  Paul re-emphasizes this in Roman 8:1. We have escaped judgment.  No great white throne judgment for us.  Our names have been written in the book of life.  Jesus is our healer today.  I close with this scripture from Isaiah 53:5  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.

3.      Pray for people now.