“I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the Lord, who heals them. (NLT)

Do you like to read stories? I used to work for Disney, and love a good “Once upon a time…” Today, I want to take you on an adventure to my earlier life, over 40 years ago. But first, I need to set the stage…

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Last Spring, Brian asked us to pray. He asked us to hear God’s voice, listen to what he said, and share it on a sticky note. The devotion I am writing today is based on what was written on one of those sticky notes: “God loves his children that are prisoners to sin just as much as those who have been set free. God doesn’t hate you.”  

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These are the prayers of someone who worships with us every Sunday and Wednesday; these are the words that God spoke to them. It goes very well with the theme of the devotions coming out this week, which is “God, do you love me?”  Have you ever asked this question? It is a tough one to consider… We tend to think of God and our relationship to him in comparison with our relationships to other people. That can lead us to a question like, “Does God hate me?” But God is very different from the people around us. He is perfect.  

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We see this in today’s powerful verse from Isaiah. It basically says that God takes care of us and comforts us, even when we don’t deserve it. Even though God knows the lifestyle of his people, he will restore them to good health, something they cannot do for themselves. Both physical and spiritual health seem to be in view here. God will not only heal his people physically, but he will also help them to worship him faithfully.

This whole concept brings to mind the words of Jesus from the gospel of Matthew, when he says, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike” (Matt. 5:43-45 NLT). This is another example of God taking care of all of his children, whether they have chosen to embrace him or not. I know that I have seen this in action in my life, too.

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So, once upon a time…

Do you remember what life was like before you became a believer? I certainly do. I came to faith in 1979, at the age of 15. Just eight months before I gave my life to Christ, I was picking up the pieces of my shattered world after witnessing my mother’s tragic death. I was angry, confused, and not the kind of person anyone would want to be around. But God, in his mercy, placed a group of dear friends beside me—people who refused to give up on me, no matter how much I lashed out at them. They understood that I was grappling with something no 15-year-old should ever have to face. Through their patience and love, they started to tear down my walls, earning my trust. Over time, they gently spoke to me about hope and healing, offering me something I didn’t even know I needed. We cried together, and eventually, I began to join them at youth group. It was there I first heard about the one who could heal our deepest wounds. Having grown up in a home that didn’t know Christ, I had never encountered anything like this. For the first time, I saw real hope in the midst of hopelessness.

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Since that moment, I’ve learned to rely on God’s Word and his promises to carry me through life’s challenges. It doesn’t always unfold the way I imagine, but looking back, I can clearly see how God’s hand has guided me every step of the way. I don’t know if you have ever had to go through something like this, but I hope you never have to face that level of pain. Regardless of the source, though, we all face times when we need healing (physical or spiritual), and regardless of our track record with him, God offers it! That is a message of hope! Rather than needing to earn it, God freely lavishes his grace, or undeserved favor, on his children – we just get to choose to embrace it. I encourage you to embrace it today, too.

Dear God, thank you for giving me hope and healing even before I knew who you were. Your grace allowed me to find you, like a wanderer in the desert who finds an oasis. You gave to me freely, and I am forever grateful for who you are. I will love you for all of my days. In Jesus’ name, amen.