Zion Hill Baptist Church Buford

Every person has been hurt in some way by another person. Some times that hurt can be deep and emotional, and stay with the person for a lifetime. Many of you have been hurt by a significant person, and that hurt is still with you. That hurt still affects your life.
The good news is that we serve a God who can heal our wounds. The psalmist said, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (v. 3). One of God’s names is “Jehovah-Rapha,” Hebrew for “the Lord heals” (Exodus 15:26b). The prophet Isaiah said that the Messiah (Jesus), by His sacrificial death, would bring healing to our lives. He said, “…We are healed by His wounds” (53:5b).
Do you need healing? Do you have wounds that need to be healed by the Lord? Let us look into the Scriptures and discover how God can heal our wounds.
· Be open about your hurts (147:5-6) “Our Lord is great, vast in power; His understanding is infinite. The Lord helps the afflicted…” You have to be honest with yourself, with others, and with God about your hurt. Jesus said: “You shall know the truth, and (John 8:32). God knows all about your hurt. He knows how it has affected your life. He wants you to come to Him and ask for help; for healing. It is the first step toward your healing. He “helps the afflicted…” (v. 6).
· Be willing to forgive those who hurt you (147:6) “The Lord helps the afflicted, but brings the wicked to the ground.” Another step in your healing process is to forgive the one who hurt you. God is a God of forgiveness. Jesus prayed for the Father to forgive His enemies as He suffered on the cross. Forgiving a person for hurting you does not mean that you condone their behavior. It does not mean that they deserve forgiveness. You are turning them over to God; you are letting them, and the hurt, go. The writer of Hebrews said, “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (12:15). Ask God to help you forgive the person(s) who hurt you.
· Be focused on your future, not your past (147:3) “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Focus on your healing. Focus on the future God has for you. Focus on what is good and godly. Paul said, “…Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise— (Phil. 4:8). Be victor, not a victim!
· Be willing to help others who are hurt (147:6) “The Lord helps the afflicted…” The Lord helps the afflicted, the hurt, and He wants you to help others, too. You understand how it feels to be hurt; to be betrayed. You know what God has done for you. Share with others about how God can heal their wounds. Paul said, “He comforts us in all our affliction, so that (2 Cor. 1:4). Ask God’s Spirit to heal you, and to give you the opportunity to help others in their healing. While worshiping in His hometown of Nazareth, Jesus read these scripture verses from the Book of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord God is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. (61:1-2). Jesus came to save you and to heal you. Let Him heal your wounds, and let Him work through you to help others.
Are you hurting? Do you have deep wounds? Let God heal you. Ask Him today to bring healing to your life through His Son, Jesus Christ.