“He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief [ … ] He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”—Isaiah 53:3, 5 NKJV

The Bible says that God desires to heal us and that He desires that we be in health and prosper. Anything is possible with Him (Mark 9:23). The Bible even declares that He suffered with stripes (beatings). His stripes provide spiritual healing for us. The Bible gives us a complete picture of all that Jesus means to us. He died a violent death and suffered for us. He was not welcomed by the religious community or the religious leaders. He was despised and rejected. And in the process, He was scourged and killed for us. As we go through life, people may disappoint us or fall short of our expectations. We will discover flaws in our friends and family. People we have trusted may do things we do not understand. Politicians and business leaders will reveal their frailties. But we always can depend on Jesus. He seeks to protect and guide us. And we can believe Him for healing. Today, if you have a need, you can turn to Jesus in faith. Believe Him for any needs you have. He will not disappoint you. He has experienced pain. He can relate to the challenges you experience, and He knows the kinds of things you are going through. He is ready to comfort and heal You. He is your Messiah.

Trust Him, and believe His promise of healing. That is His desire for You.
Reflection Question: Where do you need a healing touch from Jesus?

“After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders … they brought charges against Paul to the governor. After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him [ … ] The Jews also joined in the attack.”—Acts 24:1–2, 9 NASB

The case seemed solid. It seemed clear that Paul was guilty based on evidence confirmed by credible witnesses. At the same time, Paul seemed to be without defense. What a hopeless scenario this seems to have been! In his flesh, Paul might have been afraid or worried and given up. Instead, we know that he gave a bold, clear, decisive defense. He rebutted every charge. The most important part of this development was that this presented him with the opportunity to tell the Gospel, give his testimony, and witness what had happened to him. Because of the importance given to his case, his audience included the highest-ranking people in the nation. Every word he spoke had the opportunity to resonate in the hearts and minds of these people. This process continued in every trial he faced. Every time he faced an accusation or simply had a conversation, he had an opportunity to testify and witness. Each of us can find ourselves in similar circumstances. Learning from Paul, we must not give up when we are outnumbered, but continue trusting God. Look to Him to give us opportunities to serve Him. What opportunities has God given you? On the surface, these may seem like trials and tests. But remember that each situation presents an opportunity to witness for Him and testify about His work in your life. Always remember that He is with you.

Reflection Question: What opportunities is God giving you to witness?