Take heart

"Take heart"!

1. He who says "Take heart" is saying to us "I AM" 

The disciples were facing a great storm. Jesus came to them walking on the lake. They were afraid. But the moment Jesus said to them in Matt 14:27 "Take courage" (Take heart) It is I. Don't be afraid" the fear left them. When going thru the storms of life, remember JESUS the great I AM. Do not be afraid. You are under my care. No storm can match my power and protection. Take heart because I AM who I AM. He is saying to us today "It is I"!

2. God pays attention to you & you alone 

A blind beggar calls out to Jesus to have mercy on him. Many asked him to keep quiet. But Jesus saw him & said to call him near. Mark 10:49 - "Take heart, He is calling you"

Take heart. He sees you. He hears you. His eyes are fixed on you. He is inviting you to draw near to Him. He wants to heal you & bless you. You are not alone in this world. When you are rejected by others, Jesus will not reject you.

3. Your sins are forgiven 

Matt 9:2 "Take heart my son, your sins are forgiven". Jesus said this to the paralytic man. Forgiveness of sins sets us free to pursue our healing/deliverance. As we humble ourselves before Him to ask for forgiveness of our anger, hatred & resentment toward others & our sinful actions. He is saying to us "Take heart, your sins are forgiven".

4. You need not rely on yourself anymore 

In Matt 9:22 Jesus turn to a woman who had a blood discharge for 12 years. She was reaching out to touch His robe thinking to herself that if she can only touch her robe, she can be healed. He said to her "Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well". Instantly she was healed!

Take heart - the mention of this phrase alone stirs up our faith to look up at Jesus and focus on His strength & healing power!

5. Your God has already overcome

John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world"

Jesus is saying as long as we in the world we will face all kinds of challenges but don't give up. In the face of pain, hardship, frustration, betrayal, financial lack, physical sickness - His triumph at the Cross will eventually be worked into every nook & cranny of our lives.

The One who has overcome is at work in our affliction preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond our expectation.

Take heart. Take courage. Do not fear!

(Summarized from Desiring God - article by David Mathis. Verses from NIV)

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Comfort without words

Whilst reading Job, I realize that sometimes we can comfort people by just being with them. Our presence matter more than words.

For people going through very tough times/serious illnesses, it is difficult to find the right words to say.

Job's wife (I wonder why she was not taken in the whirlwind with the children) probably screamed at him and could even have asked him to take his own life.

Job 2:9 "Then his wife said to him "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

From her words, it is obvious that she blamed God for Job's suffering. 

Job 2:10 tells us how Job answered her

"But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity? In all this Job did not sin with his lips"

In the same chapter, we read about 3 of his good friends who by contrast reacted differently to his situation. They heard about his predicament, made appointment to see him to "mourn with him, and to comfort him". His friends were - Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar.

So severe was Job's condition that they did no recognize him. What was their reaction?

1. They wept
2. They tore their robes 
3. They sat down with him on the ground 7 days and 7 nights

"....no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great" Job 2:13

They left the comfort of their houses to sit in the midst of the ashes and to identify with Job in his suffering. 

In contrast to his wife, they did not ask Job to curse God nor blame God for his suffering.

Lord JESUS - grant us the grace to weep with those who are in pain and suffering. Give us the wisdom to speak or not to speak at the right time with the right words of comfort. In JESUS Name. Amen.