Beautiful Things Happen When A Woman Trusts God ~ Bible Study Lesson Two

Sheila Walsh presents the topic of brokenness in the second chapter of her Bible Study that is related to her new book. A special thanks to Kat for hosting this Bible Study in depth and challenging all of us to take a look at the Word of God with regard to our need for deliverance of brokenness today on her blog, Heart to Heart.

Isaiah 43: 18-19:
18: “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19: See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

Here are some thoughts I have with regard to this verse and brokenness: This passage tells me that God delivered me in the past, therefore, I can now embrace what He is doing in the present. He rescued me before. He can do it again! He will heal me of anything that is broke in me or in my life. He is in control of it.

Luke 4: 18-21

18: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21: and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

My observation: Jesus' ministry targets here the brokenhearted--the poor--the captive--the blind and those oppressed. Sheila asks us to consider "how does this passage speak to my life?"

I have experienced the touch of Jesus on my life during brokenness and because He has delivered me so many times in the past, I can ask boldly in any situation for His help because I know He shows up. He'll put the broken pieces together and in a sturdier way, too. How so?

About five years ago, I sold a home to a customer who proved to be a shyster. I fell into his traps of friendliness and need. I even prayed for him and his family when life threw them a curve ball. At work, I listened endlessly to his stories of woe and gave him my undivided attention. Little did I know that he was baiting me for information to use against me in the sales contract and when silence finally came and I was given a respite of peace, I learned he was calling my boss regularly, waging war against me. My boss' lawyer came on board to defend my character. In my prayer times, I called out to the Lord and learned that "The Lord is a Warrior; The Lord is His name!" Exodus 15:3! He rescued me from brokenness and set me free from captivity. I learned to declare His Word over my situation and soon enough, this customer was silenced. His evil reputation became know throughout the company. I later learned that we were just one of the many companies he dragged into court to make money in his role as a victim. That was how he maintained his lifestyle.

It's time in this lesson to fill in the missing blanks: Because Jesus said_____; I will ______.

Because Jesus said: no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord, I will defend you.

My prayer today: I praise you, Lord, for every time that you have pulled me out of trouble. You have shown me great kindness repeatedly. Your Word is a weapon for the discouraged and brokenhearted and your Spirit is the greatest comfort I can have. I wave your banner high; You alone are worthy to be worshipped.