DELIVERED FROM SUFFERING

When I read in Luke 8:26-39 about Jesus driving a legion of demons out of a man, I noticed that afterward the man begged to stay with Jesus; he had a great love for the one who had delivered him from so much torment. I think that if I had been rescued from that much suffering, I’d love Jesus a lot too. (So far I haven’t become insane enough to live in a graveyard.) But all of us as Christians have been delivered from many forms of suffering, even if our lives have been relatively easy. Here are some troubles that the Lord has delivered me from: -hating myself. Who can hate someone who’s been given the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17)? -meaninglessness. I know God and can walk with Him. That’s a reason to get out of bed in the morning. -boredom. His lovingkindnesses and compassion are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). There’s always more of His beauty to behold. -feeling unimportant and unvaluable. Jesus valued us enough to die for our salvation, so He could be our bridegroom and live with us forever. -loneliness. He is with us always; not just present, but lovingly and attentively present (Psalm 40:5). -unfulfilled desires. Jesus is the deepest desire of our hearts, and if we find delight in Him, our desires are fulfilled (Psalm 37:4). -deception. Jesus is the truth who sets us free from the lies that make us miserable. Praise be to the Lord!