Psalm 119:113-120 (KJV)
113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
When everything around you seems to be caving in and you have no where left to turn. When all seems lost and hopeless. When the light at the end of the tunnel is actually a train coming your direction. When it feels like you're so low you have to reach up to touch bottom. When _______ (you fill in the blank)... YOU CAN TURN TO GOD - HE IS YOUR HIDING PLACE! You can hope in His Word. My word has the propensity for failure, BUT GOD'S WORD NEVER FAILS!
God is not a man that He should lie, or change His mind (Numbers 23:19)! When He speaks, SOMETHING always happens! Solomon said, "Where the word of a king is, there is power." How true that is of God's Word! In fact, God's Word is the ultimate authority. When all seems hopeless, I can find my hiding place in God and His Word. David said it this way, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe."
But God not only gives me hope; He also brings healing. He is the broken-heart mender. His peace passes all understanding. His joy is unspeakable and full of glory. His mercy is everlasting, enduring to all generations. His truth sets me free and endures forever. The joy of the Lord is my strength, and I can do all things through Christ who is my strength.
When I'm sick, He's Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord that heals all my disease. When I'm in need, He's Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord my Provider. When the enemy rages against me, He's Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord who Reigns in Victory. When I'm troubled, He's Jehovah-Shalom, the Lord my Peace.
David said, "Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually." The hope and healing that comes from God won't leave you "ashamed." You will be held up and kept safe, for He will never leave you nor forsake you. WOW! What a God!
Various leaders of The Church of Omaha recently wrote an essay on hope and healing. Here are some excerpts from their essay's:
- "We believe that a place of hope and healing is exactly as it states: a place of hope where those seeking guidance and where we as a body place our hope in God. (Hebrews 3:6). A place of healing where people can be healed physically, mentally, and spiritually according to Scripture (James 5:14-16)." ~Donnie & Kara
- "The hope for this lost world is Jesus Christ! However, if this world believes that Jesus died and He is long gone, there is no doubt that their hope has died too. This world, this country, this city needs to see that Jesus is alive, that our hope lives, but how? In John 20:20, we see that when Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, He showed them His wounds (as proof that He was Jesus who was crucified and that He was alive). Wouldn't this be the perfect time to show to sinners that we were once wounded too, that we were once broken in our hearts and spirits, that we were once dead, but because He lives, now we live!" ~Francisco & Karla
- "We might say that hope is a new beginning and healing is Jesus. Without reservation, we could say we want a new beginning in Jesus. If we sin, if we need healing, or most of all life eternal, Jesus and only Jesus can give us that. As Christians we are not locked into only helping those at the Church, but anywhere we go. This is only true if we carry the true meaning of Christians so all can identify us by our actions." ~Ronald
- "Not only does TCOO have "a place of hope and healing" on the doors of the church to look good, but they also practice it. I am very thankful for TCOO, for what it teaches and what it stands for. Since I was able to take the time I needed to heal, I believe I have become an asset to the church, helping where ever I am able." ~Karen
- "To be a place of hope, we must be a people who are unified in our desire to look beyond the surface, to focus on potential, and to be 'love practitioners' by showing compassion to everyone we meet, not just everyone who walks through the doors of the church. As a church body, one of our goals is to birth souls, to perpetuate the healing process for souls in need of salvation. In order to do this, we must be honest with ourselves, open before God in everything, so that He shines through in every aspect of our lives. But we must also remember that "hope maketh not ashamed" (Romans 5:5), and that by being Christ-like, refusing to be quick to judgment and condemnation, we can reach the person as well as the soul." ~Joe & Betty
These brief quotes from their essay's speak to what hope and healing is all about, and not just at The Church of Omaha. We, the church, should offer hope and healing everywhere to everyone. Jesus said, "Whosoever will" and so should we.
Do you need hope today? You'll find it in His Word. Do you need healing today? In Jesus' name, be healed. Whether it's for an emotional or physical need, I believe that as we pray in Jesus' name, you will be healed.
