Better than Healing the Body

“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.” Psalm 149:4

“And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, ‘My son, your sins are forgiven.’ But there were some of the scribes sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, ‘Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming, who can forgive sins but God alone?’ And immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, ‘Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven or to say, ‘Arise and take up your pallet and walk?’ But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’ – He said to the paralytic – ‘I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.’” Mark 2:3-11

The story of great friendship turns into a lesson about what is better – being healed in body or soul. At first Jesus did not heal the man’s physical infirmity, but forgave him his sins. That alone was enough for the Lord. He is more concerned for our hearts than for our circumstances. We worry about being under the circumstances, but throughout the Bible, the Father most often left a person in their circumstances and healed their attitude toward them. Hummm.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Thank you for praying for Carla, who is safely back home now, and her family. Her mom is still weak and needs your prayers. Also pray for David and Adrian (continued recovery from ongoing health battles); Tim and Barb who I would like to visit this year; Bill who suddenly lost his job after seven years; and Hispa who needs to find balance in her life.