March 5, 2010

THE GOD WHO WOUNDS

Key Verse
"For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal." (Job 5:18)
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Central Truth

Without the Cross there is no Crown.

Reflections

Have you ever suffered wounds from God? I think we'd all prefer to never know pain, but through it, God is preparing us for something greater. Deep down we want a God who will always give us what we want and never teach us hard lessons, but what good is that? If I want to be conformed to the image of Jesus, then I need to be prepared for the pain of removing attitudes, thoughts, and flat-out sin in my life so God can mold me in His image. 

A quick survey of Scripture should be enough to convince us that God not only takes us through joy and comfort, but also pain. Just ask Job... or Abraham, Joseph, David, Jeremiah, Daniel, John the Baptist, the disciples, Paul, Stephen, the list can go on and on. When I look back on my life, the times I was most wounded always contributed to my greatest growth in Christ. His wounds are never deeper than they must be, and never beyond His ability to heal. In fact, Jesus has promised to heal them, and if you and I are going to be like Him, we must go through some pain to experience His comfort and healing. That's why I can take comfort in worshiping the God who wounds as well as the God who restores. He knows what He is doing -- He is preparing us for glory.

Discussion Questions

1. How do you react when wounded? Is your first instinct to run to God and pray for His healing?

2. What are some wounds in your life that you should share with others to help them grow in their faith?

3. Do you have any lingering wounds that you are keeping God from healing? Can you release them to God and allow Him to begin the healing process?

Comments

The views expressed under “Comments” are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.

  1. Chip Smith

    March 5, 2010 05:37 AM

    Good morning Danny. What is March Madness anyway? Just kiddin' :-) The Media Team at HCBC NW does an awesome job...thanks! I don't think anyone likes to hear that God could be the source of their suffering. However, the word is clear on this subject as you have said. Even though I did not like it with my father would discipline me and when I was very young, I did not understand him when he would say, "This is going to hurt me worse than it will you." He would even cry sometimes as he disciplined me. After being a father myself, I perfectly understand his statement, his tears, and appreciate his discipline. He disciplined me because he loved me. (Hebrews 12:6 & 10) Have a great day.

  2. Thom Kurtz

    March 5, 2010 08:01 AM

    In reflections on the pain and suffering in my own life, I have to admit I rarely see it as being caused by God. Most often my wounds have been self-inflicted, and the truth is that God has done everything in His power short of taking away my free will, or changing the nature of the universe, to protect me from suffering. Now, of course, we know from His word that He sometimes punishes His beloved people directly. So my doctrinal note to myself this morning is just to give Him the glory for His efficiency, as so much of His creation works through His natural laws of the physical and the spiritual. For example, my longing for Him which He built into me naturally causes me pain after I have sinned, and as a believer that is often pain enough to affect me. I confess, however, that some sins harbour deeper in my heart, and I need Christ to root it out over due course. Thank you, Danny, for your inspiring devotion today; and thank you, HCBC, for a safe place where we can be vulnerable, share, and think and pray out loud in our journey together.

  3. Val Dugone

    March 5, 2010 09:49 AM

    I have a love-hate relationship with this passage and concept! I'm going to continue to wrestle with it....but I really appreciate the challenge and find comfort knowing that God's love, goodness, grace, wisdom, power, justice and even discipline is beyond my comprehension- but always for my good and His glory.

  4. Steve Mielke

    March 5, 2010 10:55 AM

    Great insight into suffering and healing bro. I got a lot out of this.

  5. David Redding

    March 5, 2010 03:24 PM

    Danny, tough passage, good devo! I loved your comment that the wounds received from God are never deeper than they need to be or beyond his ability to heal! What a perfect picture of the perfect father. Wow.

  6. Julie Medford

    March 6, 2010 08:10 AM

    This is just what I needed today. Thanks

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Danny Isom

Danny Isom

I'm Danny Isom and I've been on staff at Hill Country for three years leading the Media Team and serving as one of the worship leaders on Sunday morning. I've been married to Joanna (an actual native Austinite) for eleven years, and we have two beautiful daughters.

March is one of my favorite times of the year ... not for spring, but for March Madness! Now if only college football could figure out a play-off like basketball does!