I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isa. 41:10)
A few years ago I was recovering from an ACL surgery. Any knee surgery can prove to have quite the challenging recovery process. Visit after visit, I worked to regain full range of motion at the expense of comfort. The rehabilitation staff were always supporting and strengthening my steps as we rallied together toward the goal of growing and healing. Eventually they had me up and walking without crutches.
Israel had experienced the pain of the Master’s scalpel but were being led toward restoration. The steps ahead would bring challenges as they learned to find their range of motion and walk in the Lord again. But God in his grace didn’t set an unobtainable goal for his people, but rather gave them assurance that their steps of obedient faith would find his strength. He would uphold them as they made steps toward recovery. They heard his promises, but did they take the posture of active listening?
Active listening doesn’t just receive a word, but moves us to action by its strengthening promise. Growing in God is a posture of active listening, and embracing recovery and restoration takes strong steps—steps that can’t be accomplished on our own. Jesus meets us with his strength and provision. Are you in a place of deep sin and pain? What is holding you back from taking active steps towards restoration?
Move into action through active faith in God’s strengthening promise.
Aaron Golden is a church planter and lead pastor at Union Point Church in New Bern, North Carolina.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
