We are on a journey - a three-week journey of visiting and meeting each other's family across Alabama and Georgia. Going from house to house, sharing meals, conversations, and memories with children and grandchildren, one thing became blatantly apparent: we all have broken places inside from childhood wounds or failed expectations. Driving across endless miles of highway under cloudy Georgia skies, I prayed over our children and heard the LORD speak: "The key to healing these wounds and mending these broken relationships is forgiveness. Seventy times seven you must forgive - and this represents a perfect, unbroken cycle of willingness to forgive blame and hurt and give it all up to Me. Stuck in shame, rejection and abandonment, the wounded child cannot move forward in spiritual growth. It is only when you stop looking to people for approval, happiness and comfort - and look to ME," says the Lord, "that you will find healing for your souls and release from the bondages that are holding you back."
I woke up in the middle of the night just after all our visits, and my right arm was in terrible, throbbing pain. There was no explanation; I had not injured it or lifted anything heavy, yet the pain would not be quieted so I could sleep. I arose and went to the bathroom, looking for some oil that would soothe muscles, and then as I lay back down in the bed, I sought the Lord for the spiritual meaning of this pain in my arm, and the Spirit said to me, "Find the Scriptures that speak about My arm. Through My Word you will get the answers." It was Isaiah 51 where the answers were profoundly quickened to me. In Hebraic thought the "right arm of the LORD" is the Messiah, Yeshua. Isaiah 51 is a passage written by Yeshua to His people - and it is written to each of us today, to strengthen us and help us to stop depending upon PEOPLE to save us from all the pain that life has dealt us.
"Listen to Me, My people; and give ear to Me, O My nation; for the Torah will proceed from Me, and I will make My justice rest as a light of the peoples. My righteousness is near, My salvation (Yeshua) has gone forth, and My Arm they will trust. Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My Torah: Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but MY righteousness will be forever, and MY salvation (Yeshua) from generation to generation. I am the LORD your God, who divided the sea whose waves roared - the LORD of Hosts (Adonai Tzava'ot) is His Name. And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the Shadow of My Hand..." (Isa. 51:4-5, 7-8, 15-16)
Picture it! Picture yourself in the great and mighty Arms of Adonai Tzava'ot, the LORD of Hosts, who delivered His people from Pharaoh, and who delivers you even now from the memories that hold you in bondage. Imagine it - little you, standing under the Shadow of His enormous, protective Hand! Perhaps there is still a "Pharaoh" in your life, holding you down in a place of darkness and shame - then if someone comes alongside you, to support and help you, but it stirs up your Pharaoh's hard heart against you, do not be afraid! Remember these words of the Lord: "My righteousness is near, my salvation has gone forth, and My arm you can trust. I have covered you with the shadow of My hand." His arm is strong enough to carry you; His hand is big enough to shelter you; His heart is loving enough to keep you.
