Day 19

Recovery

READ

Luke 7:11-17 (NIV Translation & MSG Paraphrase)

REFLECT

The writer doesn’t hold any punches in Luke 7:12 when he says that “a dead person” was being carried out of the city of Nain. Along with a great crowd was his mother, a now vulnerable widow with no more children. Jesus’ heart broke for the grieving mother. He “saw her” and He would have none of it! With a few words, He raised this son from the dead and “gave him back to his mother.” Jesus saw brokenness, walked into it, and changed it. Each step was like a single note in a song of praise to God the Father.

Can you imagine the uncontrollable shriek of joy that came from this woman, the tight embrace she gave her son and the utter gratitude in her eyes as she looked at Jesus and whispered, “Thank you! Thank you!” I imagine that she could barely breathe or stand. Jesus had saved two lives that day and the recovery of this son impacted every person present. “God has come. He’s back,” the crowd said. Jesus turned a funeral into a procession of love, turned loss into recovery, and turned hurt to redemption. The town went out for a burial and encountered God Himself. Perhaps there was a young woman in that crowd who thought to herself, “if Jesus can do that, maybe, just maybe, He can help me, too.”

RESPOND

In the California South Division, there is a huge and growing industry of human trafficking. With the growing need, there are Salvation Army programs such as Thatiana’s Home and others in Orange Country where advocates are working to help women, youth and men recover and leave the abuses of human trafficking. These programs meet the needs of all people without discrimination of national origin, identity, or religion—all in the name of the God who comforts the broken hearted.

RECEIVE

To the coffin — touching God, we say thank You that You see all. You do not turn Your face from evil but look it straight in the eye and say, “No!” You see the vulnerable and forsake none who look to You for help. You fight for justice and invite us to our heritage of standing in the gap and rebuilding broken down cities. Help us to never stop fighting until each person finds recovery and a place in the family of God. Touch the coffin of human trafficking and destroy it for good. Touch my spirit that I may see. Touch my hands that I may prevent injustice. May our cities sing, “God has come. He’s back!” In the name of the God who interrupts funerals, we ask you to interrupt us once again. Amen.