January 25, 2021
From Brokenhearted to Holy Breakthrough
Elisa Pulliam
Today’s Truth
The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor . . . (Isaiah 61:1-2, CSB)
Friend to Friend
Turning to check my rearview mirror, I felt an ever-so-familiar twinge in my back and feared a spasm that would take me down for a day or two. Instead, life came to a screeching halt with doctor’s orders for complete rest. I was in too much pain to resist and I sensed a divine appointment as I remembered a verse I had recently read in Isaiah:
“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.” (Isaiah 30:15, CSB)
I did not want to be like the Israelites to whom Isaiah spoke and “have none of it.” While God offered His children all they needed, they turned from Him to take matters into their own hands. They sought Egypt for protection and put their trust in Pharaoh. They were stubborn rebels who refused to pay attention to the Lord’s instructions (Isaiah 61:9). Sound familiar?
Maybe the same was true for me? In the weeks leading up to my back spasm, I desperately begged God for rest, strength, and healing from a difficult relationship situation. I felt like God was there, but uncomfortably silent. Maybe I was unconsciously stubborn, until day nine when my back pain finally subsided, and God spoke loudly to my heart through Isaiah’s words once again:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor . . .” (Isaiah 61:1-2, CSB)
The very people who would have none of Him, were offered everything they were looking for. Isn’t the same true for us? There are things we trust God for, and there are things we don’t. There are things we’ll ask Him for, and matters we’ll take into our own hands. There is healing we’ll beg Him for, and healing we reject because the familiar is more comfortable than the unknown. What would happen if we learned a lesson from the Israelites and heeded God’s promises without compromises?
Yes, we are the brokenhearted. We are the ones in need of liberty from all the things that trap us—our fears, insecurity, shame, anger, idolatry, and unforgiveness.
We are the people of God set free from captivity and appointed through Christ’s saving work to proclaim liberty.
As the brokenhearted we can also take hold of a holy breakthrough secured by Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Whether it is an emotional set-back, physical pain, relationship conflict, financial loss, or a sorrow that feels crippling, we have a God who will heal us and sets us free. Imagine what that looks like in the middle of our ordinary lives ordained with extraordinary purpose!
Yes, we have a choice, sister. We can be like the Israelites who would have “none of that” or we can take hold of His healing as we live in His presence, promises, and purposes aligned with His best!
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, thank You for being the source of our healing and freedom, filling us with Your Spirit by Your power at work in us through Jesus Christ. Thank You for anointing us to be proclaimers of the Good. Give us the courage to pursue You in our pain, to yield to Your work in our lives, and to join You in your purposes as Good News ambassadors.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
How may God be calling you to return to Him to find your healing and strength from a place of quietness and rest? Are you ready to embrace the anointing of a Good News proclaimer? Feel free to leave a one-word comment, rest, freedom, or proclaiming, and we’ll know exactly how to pray for you.
More from the Girlfriends
Want to learn how to let go and live in a way that aligns with God’s best? Take the Align Quiz available through More to Be to discover your best next step to growing in your faith and walking in God’s purposes.
© 2021 by Elisa Pulliam. All rights reserved.
Originally published Monday, 25 January 2021.
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