Jesus came to heal your broken heart, and to set you free

Either we have believed cunningly devised fables (2 Peter 1:16), or there is so very much more that we have yet to experience! And yes I am talking about the here and now. Why else would the Lord tell us to pray “Kingdom of God come on earth as it is in Heaven?” In relation to this, Peter could speak about “Joy unspeakable and full of glory” in the here and now (1 Peter 1:8). In my observation however, that most of us (even in the Church) seem to have settled for quiet, or perhaps not so quiet desperation. Wherever you or I are at in our journey, it is settling for it, that is the problem. And in one of the may paradoxes of the Kingdom, is we are to contend for heaven on earth from a position of rest (Hebrews 4:11). Since “the kingdom is within you” (Luke 17:21) what we are praying for might not look like what we expect. And certainly we should not let the Word define freedom for us. I mean I know of people in prison who are free!

This morning’s title is a short summery of what Jesus told us was His mission (Luke 4:18). The expanded version comes in Isaiah 61:1ff, from which Jesus is quoting. Valid New Testament application of the eternal truths and promises in the Old Testament tend to be spiritual, rather than physical. In particular when we read the promise, concerning the devastation in Jerusalem “And they shall rebuild the old ruins ….. the desolations of many generations” (verse 4a 4d), we can claim this promise as applying to the current breakdown of the structures of marriage and the family, and of governmental justice and righteousness. Now “Kingdom come on earth” needs to start with the individual, with you and me, then with the church. It is intended to extend to the spiritual transformation of our cities, provinces (Canada) and ultimately the nation. We are seeing first fruits of all of this, even as I write this morning.

But if, as I say, it needs to start with the individual, what does rebuilding our our individual foundations look like? Drawing on the analogy of the physical, the very first job is to deal with the rubble (Isaiah 61:4). As I said earlier, the Lord is raising up many resources to help here. One such resource, through which I personally have received substantial healing from a broken heart, is called “Restoring the foundations” (Google it). It is an integrated approach to inner healing dealing with the sins of the fathers and resulting curses (Exodus 20:5), ungodly beliefs (lies we have believed John 8:44), soul/spirit hurts (broken hearts) and demonic oppression (Acts 10:38). There is a great deal to say.

Father, I come against the lie that many of us have believed, even if we have not verbalized it, that what we have now is all there is, and we just have to suck it up. Father, many of us are afraid to deal with the baggage, and likely for good reason, it is hard and it is painful. But again Lord, as I keep saying, You are seeking us through the pain and wanting to bring us into joy unspeakable. It is no coincidence Lord that Peter in the context of this phrase is talking about out being testing of our faith by fire (verse 7). Help us this morning Lord not to be content with anything less than all You have for us in Jesus Name Amen