The Daily Verse

For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.
Psalm 149:4

Be kind to yourself. Be reminded that the Lord takes pleasure in you.

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”
John 5:6,7

Change is hard, even when it’s going from being lame, sick and broken, to completely healed. As the opportunity for healing comes, in all aspects of your life, embrace the change rather than making excuses about lying in the same pool you’ve been in for years.

…so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.
Psalm 78;7

When going through times of sparse hope, be deliberate about reflecting on the works of God in your life. Hope, salvation, healing and love are peppered all over our lives; reflecting on those times will cause hope to rise in the valleys of suffering.

…Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
Mark 1:45b

There are times when we perceive God as very close. There are times when we perceive God as far away, in deserted places as described in this passage. Let us be like the people with hearts yearning for the healing touch of their Savior, willing to seek him out even when He seems far away and hard to find.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:3,4

Look for the gifts of comfort and glimpses of heaven amidst your heartache. Allow God’s provision to nourish and keep you sustained.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
Luke 6:21b

The tide changes; if this is a season of fear, sadness or grief, allow the gravity of your circumstances to penetrate to the deepest places, making a way for the healing and joy that is to come.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

Be reminded that you are known. You also know His voice, so follow His lead. You can trust that He knows what He’s doing, specific to you: your life, your dreams and your healing.

And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.
Luke 4:38,39

Simon’s mother responded to Jesus’ healing with a spirit of service. Consider the areas where Jesus’ deliverance and healing has taken place in your life; are you looking to the past, licking your wounds and plotting revenge against your wrongdoers? Or are you looking ahead at ways you can pay it forward with a spirit of service unto your Deliverer and those walking beside you?

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:2,3

Rest is necessary. Receive it when He provides it.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

Jesus, covered by your mercy and grace, though it may require of me much suffering, much healing, much surrender, please do as this passage begs. Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.