Forgiven and Made Whole
Be encouraged by today’s Scripture reflection and prayer.
Today's Scripture
Matthew 9:2 (KJV)
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Reflection
There is one thing that a grandparent hates to do and that is discipline their grandchildren. But sometimes discipline is necessary in order to keep them safe. One day one of my grandkids was getting into something that could hurt him, so I sharply corrected him. No spankings, no time outs, just a strong rebuke from Grandma was enough to send him into loud tears. And of course, my heart responded immediately. I picked him up, held him close, and comforted him. He had needed the correction, but he also needed the reassurance of my love. After a few minutes, his tears dried up, and he was back to having fun as if nothing had happened.
Moments like that make me look at my own walk with the Lord. I know there have been many times when I needed His discipline. I wandered, I ignored His gentle nudges, or I allowed myself to drift into what was not good for me. Yet in every single moment of correction, I have never lacked His comforting loving kindness. Yet what I have never been able to wrap my mind around is the depth of His comforting loving kindness.
God corrects us because He loves us, but He never leaves us wounded or alone. His mercy meets us right after the correction, His kindness surrounds us, and His comfort lifts us. His loving kindness is not weak, temporary, or fragile. It is enduring, steady, and rooted in His covenant promises.
Psalm 119:76 reminds us that comfort is not something we have to earn. It is something God freely gives to His servants according to His Word. His loving kindness comforts our fears, steadies our hearts, and restores our peace. Even when life hurts, His mercy holds us. Even when we have failed, His compassion meets us. Even when discipline is necessary, His comfort follows close behind. His mercy does not run out, and it does not grow thin. It reaches us again and again.
Today's Prayer
Lord, You see every need in my life, both seen and unseen. Thank You for caring about my whole being, not just my circumstances. Help me to trust You when I feel limited or overwhelmed, and remind me that forgiveness and restoration through Jesus are the greatest gifts You give. I rest in Your authority, Your mercy, and Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Before You Go
It is easy to focus on what we want Jesus to fix right away. But this passage reminds us that He knows exactly what we need most. Jesus did not ignore the man’s condition, but He addressed the deeper need first. As you go about your day, remember that forgiveness through Christ is the foundation of every other healing. Trust Him to work fully and wisely in your life, even when the order surprises you.
In Jesus, we are not only healed, we are forgiven and made whole.
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Faithfulness That Honors God
