Love Like You've Never Been Hurt

Good morning. My name is Jeff saline, and I want to welcome you to day 15, Restart Your Heart, a 21 day devotional with the Pentecostals of Murphysboro. I'm glad that you could join me as we go through this devotional. Each day someone new will walk through one day the devotional, and I encourage you to go back and catch up on the previous days if you haven't already.

I hope everyone's having a great morning. I decided to come sit outside. I made this decision yesterday, and when I woke up this morning, I saw that it was 35, but still committing, coming out here and enjoying this beautiful morning, enjoying that — that one cup of coffee, pastor, to get my day going.

But I was reading this chapter, and the author talks about the pain and the loss of a child, and how he's never had to go through one. I've never experienced loss like this either. I don't have kids yet — don't worry, mom, I will someday. And even though I don't have kids, the thought of losing one seems unbearable.

At our church this year, we've had five deaths in the church alone, and several others in our church who have had close relatives died. It's been a heavy start to a year, and it really scares me that it may not be over soon. Some of the deaths have been expected, or more of a celebration of life, and live long wonderful lives, and gave a lot back to the community and their families into the church, and we were able to celebrate them, and, you know, celebrate with their families the life they lived and the legacy that they left. But there's others that have passed — it was sad, and it was tragic.

And during these times, it's easy and natural to question God. If I'm being completely honest, during one of the funerals, I was standing in the back of the sanctuary, and there's a deep anger that rose up in my heart, and I was having a hard time accepting the fact that God had allowed the situation to happen, and that somehow he had a plan in place. All I could think about was the unfairness of the situation, and how God could prevent it at all. Logically, I know this kind of thinking is flawed. It's kind of like the age-old question: if there really is a loving, caring God, how could he let bad things happen to good people?

One of the things we have to remember is that God is sovereign. Defined, that means possessing supreme or ultimate power. Not one good thing that we have in this life is owed to us. We were created for one purpose above all else, and as to worship our Creator, no matter what happens, good or bad.

I know this seems heavy for a morning devotional. But just like the book says, God uses our moments of hurt, brokenness, and pain, and make something new in us. And we aren't alone. There are many times in the Bible where brokenness is highlighted. There's David, after he had Uriah killed. Peter, after he denied knowing Jesus. Moses, when he saw the Israelites worshiping the golden calf. Lot, when he lost his family, including his wife. Jobe, who truly lost everything short of his life. And Jesus, when he died for us on the cross. And we aren't so different from these characters in the Bible. We have hurts and times of brokenness as well: the loss of a child, like the book mentions; an unforeseen medical condition; a family separation; the trail from those closest to you; a job loss; or a lot of deaths, like we've had in our church. We've all experienced loss and brokenness on some level. But the difference comes and how we handle the situation.

Let me go back to that moment I had at the funeral. Remember, I was angry and frustrated at the situation. That upcoming week, I was talking to some people, and someone wiser than me, whom I respect, made the simple yet profound statement — and I'm paraphrasing here. They said the death — that it did make us hurt, but there were so many lives that step through the door of the church who were searching for something, and they needed love in their life. It was a deep conviction moment for me. I was upset at the situation and hated the way it made me feel. But I have the knowledge of God in his love. So many people are dealing with deeper and suffering, and have nowhere to turn, and don't know about the God who loves them, and it was waiting on them with open arms. If we allow ourselves to be a light, we can show them the way.

Things can happen in your life that take you from great mountaintops, and without warning, place you at the bottom of a deep valley. The author says that if we're not careful, the enemy can derail us from our destinies. The key word in that sentence is "can." The enemy can derail us, but that's not up to him. It's up to us.

Sometimes in these moments of sorrow, we feel like God is far from us, but it's just not the case. And Psalm 34, 17 and 18 — it says, "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." There are many more scriptures in the book that references the promises of God for the hurting.

I love the passage in John 16, 22 and 23 — Jesus speaking: "So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Wow, what problem — what powerful promises God has given us. I know it lifts me up to know that God understands my sorrow, and he promised me that my heart will rejoice, and then no one can take that from me. He is simply waiting for us to ask.

When you're going through dark moments of pain, brokenness, and hurt, God is still God, and his promises are still true. You will never leave you nor forsake you — his word promises that. The enemy wants to attack you at your lowest moments, and you will be tempted to give in. But listen to me when I tell you that it's not worth it. Jesus is standing there with open arms, saying, "I know your pain, and I know you hurt, but come to me. Let me fill you with joy." I've heard story after story of tragedy that he is turning a testimony for God. If you allow God to work through your situation, he will use it for good.

I mentioned in the beginning of this that we have experienced great loss at our church. And it — it hurts. But I know that God is going to use this hurt and this loss to see great things happen. If you're on the edge of giving out, just hold on a little — little longer. His help is on the way.

Remember, as we start this week leading to Easter, that Jesus is going to be led away to be crucified. And through that whole excruciating process, he loved us as though we had never been hurt, or he had never been hurt.

Let's pray. Jesus, thank you for who you are. Thank you for your promises. Sometimes it's hard for us imperfect humans to accept the bad times when they come. Sometimes we feel like giving up. Thank you for your reassurance in Scripture. Thank you for loving me, no matter the pain I'm in. Help me to always follow you, even when it hurts. Jesus, you are my rock, my Savior, and my Redeemer. You are near the brokenhearted. I may not always understand why bad things happen, but I trust you in all things. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Thank you so much for joining me for day 15, "Love Like You've Never Been Hurt." I encourage you to take some time today and go back and read the devotional if you haven't already. Join us again tomorrow at 7 a.m. with day 16, as we discuss "Believe the Promise." Thank you, and I hope you have a wonderful day.