Cleansing. Repenting. Healing. Forgiving.
Ezra 9:
As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled. 4 Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while sat appalled until the evening sacrifice. 5 (ESV)
You are Holy, O God. You are Holy. Your Word pierces sinew, marrow. It calls me out of myself and unto You. What is man before You? Do I need a reminder that I am prone to wander? Prone to stumble and be wrapped in a darkness that might be light to me? Strengthen me to be faithful. Strengthen me to be one who intercedes for those I love.
You call life out of death. Again, again. You are the compassionate, tender Shepherd.
Matthew 9:
Shepherd (of the helpless crowd):
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (ESV)
Healer (of the bleeding woman, the little daughter):
“Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district. (ESV)
What are the dead places in me, O Lord, that need to be called to life in You? You call to life. You anoint Your followers to be life- givers. You set apart and sanctify.
Saul was spiritually dead and blind. You gave him sight and life. You set him apart and sanctified him.
Acts 9:
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. (ESV)
The fear of You is the heart response to Your holiness. The comfort of Your Spirit and the fear of You build up, bring life. I bow my heart before You.
There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. (ESV)
39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. (ESV)
One word: Alive! Healing is found in You. All life is in You, O Lord. Breathe Your Life in me that I might live for You and be a life-giver, too. Grant me a child-like heart that I might walk in the mysteries of Your healing power. Grant me the purity of a repentant heart that honors You with the honor due.
–Rebecca (offeringsbecca)
Sixty-six books in a year 