Sick Souls
Jesus is the Remedy
Hello Friends,
I hope this finds you all doing well. You haven’t heard from me in awhile (except on Notes) because I have been busy with book stuff and being sick. I spent all of this past week swallowing piles of supplements, guzzling tea with honey, sleeping, and eating Ricolas like candy. Friday when my friend checked on me, I told her I was at 62%, and that caused her to wonder how I calculated that. I told her it was a very scientific analysis she wouldn’t understand. I think we’re still friends.
Today I am about 95%, but even so, the nap I took earlier felt like it saved my life. Tomorrow I expect I will experience that glorious feeling of not being sick at all. There is such a contrast between sick and well that it makes being well feel like 150%. I look forward to doing the things I had to cancel last week, one of which is meeting with the manager of a hospital gift shop to discuss placing my book on their shelves. I am excited about that!
Now onto more somber matters. With another attempted assassination and what could have been a mass murder scene yesterday, my heart is heavy for our nation (again . . . still?). And if that evil isn’t enough grief, reading the comments on social media of sick individuals who mockingly spew their disappointment that no one died—namely their political enemies—just adds more heartache, exasperation, and disbelief that humans can be so wickedly cruel.
How often do we have to remind ourselves that this battle is spiritual? I know I need to continually.
This passage is very familiar to most believers. Many of us probably learned it and the specific armor described in verses 13-17 in Sunday School or Vacation Bible school—maybe as a catchy tune or from a poster of a soldier on the brown paneled wall.
Whether the passage is familiar or you have never read it before, a careful reflection and reminder is in order, for we all feel the darkness of these days. We sense an escalation of evil. We witness the noxious actions of these malevolent forces that seek to steal, kill, and destroy.
Praise God that we also witness a spiritual awakening among us. We rejoice that many people are searching for truth and turning to the One who is truth, Jesus Christ. Many of our government officials openly and unashamedly declare their faith in Him. Just this past week and for the first time ever, the entire Bible was spoken publicly, verse by verse, over our nation. Hallelujah! We celebrate this because Isaiah 55 reminds us of Almighty God’s promise that His word will not return to Him without accomplishing the purpose for which He sent it. What mercy He has bestowed. What hope!
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful[.] — Hebrews 10:23
May the sword of truth wielded so openly destroy strongholds.
May the power of the gospel set many captives free.
May the fruit of these extraordinary happenings in the spiritual realm be multiplied victoriously throughout our nation and the world—“pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” (Luke 6:38)
And let us remain arrayed in the armor of Christ while we also trust that He is our victorious warrior.
Let us stand on the knowledge that He defeated the enemy at the cross.
Let us rejoice because our Savior is alive and reigns on high.
It is in His armor, His strength, and His might that we stand.
It is in His power that we are victorious in this earthly struggle.
And it is in His mercy and grace and peace that we persevere.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before! - S. Baring-Gould
Our nation has many sick souls. Jesus is the only remedy.
In Christ,
Janice
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