A SEASON OF WHOLENESS
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
Isaiah 53:4-10 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
At this Christmas season we like to read about shepherds, angels, wisemen, and stars in the sky. We like the story of a baby born in a manger. But we must pause in the chaos of Christmas and remember the purpose of the baby in the manger. He came to be a sacrifice for our sins.Jesus took our punishment; He carried our sins. God put the sins of the world on Jesus. In a divine exchange He became sin so we could become righteous.
Jesus also allows His body to be beaten and whipped so that we could be made whole. His work on the cross was not just for our spiritual salvation—as huge as that is. He also purchased on the cross healing and wholeness for our physical and emotional needs. Jesus endured the pain and humiliation of the cross so that we could find wholeness in every area of our lives.
During this season it is easy to be overcome with our physical or emotional struggles, but we can claim the wholeness Jesus has provided through the cross. We can claim that “by His stripes we are healed.”
I declare today that I am healed physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I choose to live in wholeness in every area of my life.
I make this declaration today as I write this devotion after spending the past few days recovering from the worst stomach bug I can ever remember. Cindy and I both were hit hard and found our personal schedules greatly impacted. I remember one moment standing in our bathroom as Cindy was sick and I was quoting this passage of scripture about being healed by His stripes. That healing was purchased two thousand years ago on the cross, but it must be applied today. I got a bit angry at the devil for stealing our healing. I got rather intense in my prayers and scripture confession.
Sometimes we must remind ourselves—and the devil—that we have been made whole by the stripes on the back of Jesus. We don’t have to surrender to sickness, depression, anxiety, fear, or worry.
May this season be one of wholeness in your life.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me hold on to Your Word even in my moments of struggle. Your Word is true regardless of my present circumstances.
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