An Easter Week Devotion by Barbara Baker
Good morning! Today our Lord is blessing and encouraging us in Romans 5:3-5:
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5
For most of us, healing is a process. There are for sure times that God touches someone and miraculously heals their body, mind, and spirit. Other times we must, as these verses tell us, walk a curving path of tribulation with perseverance and even more trials before we touch the hem of the Lord’s robe and hope eternal. I relapsed more than once before God delivered me from the clutches of alcohol and a shameful life. That was forty-four years ago, and since then He has walked me through abundant inner healing and given me a new name—Forgiven.
Our Lord has a precious plan that includes using us to minister to those who are battling the same afflictions that we have been able to give to God. You might say He puts our experience to work for Kingdom glory. He has graciously allowed me to pray with, mentor, cry with, and befriend a multitude of men and women seeking freedom from addictions and darkness.
One gem along the way, my dear friend Willy, struggled for the longest time. Her relapses were as dramatic and painful as the wounds that kept her in that bondage. Willy was dying of alcohol poisoning in ICU and agreed to go back to a faith-based rehab program one more time. Then came the day that she finally saw Redemption in a new light.
Willy touched the healing power of God’s unconditional love and His saving grace and never looked back. This is her testimony:
“Sister, I’m not much for this, but I know in my heart that I (we) serve a mighty God. I was in my 60s. I was a recovering alcoholic. I did rehab, I heard a lot of testimonies, and I didn’t think mine was important. But I cried out to Jesus, and he restored my health, my heart, my soul. Papa gave me another chance to be a better daughter, mother, wife, and friend. I pray for healing power for all who face addictions of any kind. I am devoted to my Lord. He continues to restore me day by day. I want to keep learning, to be a prayer
warrior. In Jesus’ name.”
Willy and I both love the worship song “Another In the Fire”. Its words assure us that our Lord is walking with us through the fire that purifies us for a closer relationship with our Savior. Daniel 3:25 says, “‘Look!’ he answered, ‘I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.’” Our Lord will not leave us nor forsake us! God is our Healer!
Jesus loves you! Me, too!