Loved With An Everlasting Love
Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and thanks for joining me on “Joni and Friends.”
And you know, there are so many lessons, so many things from God’s Word that I’ve learned from these years of paralysis; so many scriptures that became solid anchors for my soul. And I love sharing these things with you, really I do, because if I can help lift your spirits, or focus your heart, or point you to a Bible passage that God used to change me (sittin’ in this wheelchair), well … then these few minutes together are more than worth it!
I’m thinking of one particular verse that I run to even now, after so many years. Back when doctors first told me I would never walk again or have use of my hands, I was devastated. I felt like He took this wrecking ball, swung it and shattered my entire life: everything was in shambles. I had no idea where to begin, or how to begin rebuilding my life. But about six months into my hospital stay, a friend showed me an assuring little verse in Jeremiah Chapter 31, verse 4. God says there, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness. And I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt!” Wow!
Now, although it’s true God is talking about rebuilding His people after foreigners came in and ruined the land; it’s still a promise that’s so relevant today … and what a promise! I mean, with tender compassion, God promised, well He promised to build me up again. And as if to underscore His intention, He says “you will be rebuilt!” I mean, if God undertakes to put a people, or put a shattered life back together again, it shall be so! It shall be built no matter what the opposition. It’s a fact; it’s a promise straight from God, and the neat thing is He will do it with everlasting love and loving kindness.
So back then, every time I felt my spirits wilt, whenever depression began to creep in, I remembered Jeremiah Chapter 31. And because I hated being depressed, believe me, I made it my goal to partner with God, to agree with Him, to work with His spirit and yield to His plan, because I wanted my life to be rebuilt, too. And so I prayed: “Lord Jesus, show me how to fit into your plan. I mean, because God, we’re talking major reconstruction here with this paralysis, so show me how I can get in line and help make peace and contentment and joy in my life happen.” And whenever I got that, “Oh, it’s not just going to happen; I’ll never be happy, I’ll never be content again,” then I would hear Him say, “Joni, you will be rebuilt!” And then it was shape-up, get my heart in alignment with God, get my soul standing at attention. And now, so many years later I’ve got His joy; I’ve got His happiness, His contentment; I have a heavenly vision; a clear purpose for living … I may still be in this wheelchair, paralyzed, but I am being rebuilt, and what’s standing looks a whole lot better than what was before!
I hope this verse from Jeremiah speaks to you today, ‘cause maybe you are wanting to agree with God, maybe you are wanting to partner with His Spirit in the rebuilding process. Or perhaps you are struggling with knowing God could have prevented the hardship, could have prevented that accident, but chose not to. Well, I’d love to hear from you on this topic, your experiences, and so after we’re done here, go over to my radio page, would ya, at joniandfriends.org and just share your heart, share your prayer needs, or let me know where you are in the journey. Again, that’s joniandfriends.org. Oh, and one final thing, friend, if your life is in pieces right now, take heart, take courage from that wonderful little (no, that very big) promise from Jeremiah Chapter 31.
Previously aired on 6/18/12 as program #7861
© Joni and Friends
Contact Us!
We would love to hear from you! Please send us your questions and comments.
