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JESUS OUR REFUGE
Paul Dhinakaran
Dearly beloved ,
The Lord Jesus Christ is our strong Refuge.
Disease is also responsible for thrusting loneliness on us. In John 5:1-6, we see a multitude of sick people lying down near the pool of Bethesda. But the eyes of the Lord Jesus, who visited the scene, were focused on a particular disabled man. In an instant, He understood that the man had been lying there for 38 years. He was also aware of all the details of his life and about his sickness.
He asked the man bluntly, Do you want to be made well? The sick man, without mentioning anything about his disease, wept and said that he had no one in the world to help him and that the disease had isolated him from his kith and kin. "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred (by the angel) (John 5:7). The compassion of the Lord Jesus was stirred up. Looking at the helpless, solitary man who had been waiting for his turn to get into the pool for 38 long years, He commanded, Rise, take up your bed and walk.
That is the compassionate heart of the Lord Jesus! More than your desire to be cured of your sickness, the Lord Jesus lovingly desires that He should heal you! He is your Heavenly Father! With exceeding love, He asks you, My son, My daughter, do you want to be made well? When you answer, Yes, I want to be cured of my tormenting disease, He will immediately touch you and heal you!
Many years ago, in a Jesus Calls Good News meeting, a person who had experienced loneliness due to a dreadful disease narrated his harrowing tale: Brother, I went abroad for a job. Luckily, in the very first month, I received a good salary. In a short time, I made many new friends. I simply did not know what to do with the new-found riches. I sought after worldly pleasures! But unfortunately, I caught a contagious skin-disease! My body began to stink! The onlookers covered their noses on seeing me. I was sharing a common room with three of my colleagues; they allotted a separate plate, tumbler,
etc; and isolated me. Left alone, I was desperately depressed.
One day, to seek solace, I intended to purchase an audio cassette and entered into a shop. There I saw a cassette with the caption Healing Stripes. I bought it and retired to my room. Playing it, I was fascinated by the manner in which Brother D.G.S. Dhinakaran had described how our Lord carried the burden of the sins and diseases of the people on the Cross, how His body was broken for us and how He was afflicted for our diseases. When I heard the cassette, my heart was moved! My mind was deeply agitated by the regretful thought of how I had offended our Lord by drifting away from Him.
When our Brother appealed at the end, Surrender your life at the hands of God, I surrendered my life completely to our Lord and cried out in prayer, O Lord, everyone has deserted me. But please dont forsake me! An indescribable peace settled in my mind. Finally when Brother D.G.S. Dhinakaran prayed for diseased people, the Lords mighty power descended upon me abundantly. Overwhelming joy filled my heart! I was totally healed! Today, I can freely mingle with everyone! In the same foreign country, I am now a blessed man! How wonderfully has the Lord demonstrated His love for me and made my despising friends accept me wholeheartedly!
Beloved! Have you been isolated because of your disease? Be not dismayed! The Lord Jesus will pour out His compassion on you! He will heal you with His stripes! The Bible says, He sent forth His Word and healed them (Psalm 107:20). The Word of God is powerful to restore your lost health and heal your broken heart. Through His Word, God will bring healing and comfort to you.
Prayer:
Loving Lord Jesus,
You carried our burdens and sicknesses on the Cross. In my sickness and loneliness, I take refuge in You for You are my only hope. Look upon me with eyes of mercy and pour out Your compassion on me. Touch me and heal me with Your stripes and comfort me with Your wonderful love.
In Your matchless name I pray,
Amen.