O Joy That Seeks Me Through Pain (Psa 23:3)
He restores my soul.
George Matheson, a blind Pastor said about his famous hymn:
My hymn was composed in the manse of Innelan [Argyleshire, Scotland] on the evening of the 6th of June, 1882, when I was 40 years of age. I was alone in the manse at that time. It was the night of my sister’s marriage, and the rest of the family were staying overnight in Glasgow. Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression of having it dictated to me by some inward voice rather than of working it out myself. I am quite sure that the whole work was completed in five minutes, and equally sure that it never received at my hands any retouching or correction. I have no natural gift of rhythm. All the other verses I have ever written are manufactured articles; this came like a dayspring from on high.
O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
What are some of the ways that the Lord restores us when we are sick, suffering or experiencing hurt?
1. RESTORES - He resupplies all that we need according to His all sufficient grace. Never a sickness that He cannot heal, never a burden that He cannot bear, never a problem that He cannot solve. Moment by moment we are kept by His love with the Spirit’s replacing whatever has been lost due to sickness, distress or hurt.
2. REMEDIES - He knows the best physical, emotional and spiritual medicine that we need to bring us healing. Going through a sickness we need the solid hope that the Lord, as the great Physician, heals the brokenhearted and can make the blind to see again. Ask the Lord for the specific remedy that you need to for whatever is troubling you today.
3. REHABILITATES - He restores us to effectiveness, health and full strength when we are recovering from a time of weakness, adversity or ill health. He retrains our muscles, mind and emotions to know that He allows hardships so that we can become better not bitter. Let us ask the Lord to help us respond to sickness, trials and hardships as Job did, "Though He slay me, yet I will praise Him. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."
4. RELIEVES - We can praise God in advance knowing that He has the full capacity to alleviate our pain and deliver us from distress, anxiety and suffering. Without the Lord’s relief we would eventually lose hope and resign our minds to defeat. Let us praise God that He provides relief in His own way, time and dosage.
5. REPLACING - We can praise God that He replaces uncertainty with His certainty through His precious promises. Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who calls us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted us His precious and magnificent promises so that we might become partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is by lust. (2 Pet 1:3,4) We can praise God that He allows pain to come in to our lives so that we can replace whatever dependencies we might have had with His love, mercy, grace, truth, hope, power, purpose and perspective. He comforts us in all our afflictions so that we can comfort those who are in affliction with the comfort we receive from God. (2 Cor. 1:3,4)
6. RELATIONSHIP DEEPENER - As a result of the pain that He went through Job came in to a much more intimate relationship with the Creator. He said, I know that My Redeemer lives and that He will stand in the latter day upon the earth. Allow the pain, hardship and suffering you are going through to bring you into a more intimate relationship with the Lord so you can increase in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to help the words of the song become your prayer:
Illustration: Fanny Crosby was visiting Mr. W. H. Doane, in his home in Cincinnati, Ohio. They were talking together about the nearness of God, as the sun was setting and evening shadows were gathering around them. The subject so impressed the well-known hymn-writer, that before retiring she had written the words to this hymn, which has become one of the most useful she has ever written. The music by Mr. Doane so well fitted the words that the hymn has become a special favorite wherever the Gospel Hymns are known.
Sankey, p. 325
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain
Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
Refrain
O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!
Refrain
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
Refrain
7. REFOCUSES - We can praise God that He uses pain, hurt and suffering to help us focus on what are God’s priorities rather than our own selfish concerns. Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35) When we are sick it forces us to rethink our motivations, priorities and resources. We can praise God that He uses hardships to refocus our minds and hearts on the fact that when there are shortages He tells us to Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and then all these things will be added to us. Then we will be less apt to worry about what we think we need today or tomorrow, for each day has enough troubles of its own that He allows us to bear up under as His grace is always sufficient." (Matt 6:33,34; 2 Cor 12:9,10)
8. REBUILDS - He uses sickness, hardship and distress to tear away some of the aspects of our lives that are not necessary. As a result of enduring His trials, Job enjoyed the rebuilding of God in His life so that the Bible says He prayed for His friends and then became more prosperous than before entering in to the time of trial. Allow the Lord to reconstruct certain aspects of our thinking, behavior and emotions so that you are more like the Master as He knows that without this rebuilding you will not be able to stand up to the trials that are ahead.
8. RESOLVES PROBLEMS - We can praise God that He brings resolution to the most difficult of situations. God knows how to find a way when there seems to be no way. He works in ways that we cannot see. He will make a way for you. He promised, "There has no temptation that has taken you but such as is common to man. But God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able but will with the temptation also provide a way of escape so that you will be able to bear it." (I Cor. 10:13) Count on the Lord providing you with an escape hatch before you drown under the raging seas that appear to threaten your welfare.
9. RELAXES - We can praise God that He gives us rest when we are undergoing sickness, suffering or emotional distress. Isaiah wrote, "You will keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in you." (Isa 26:3) When you are experiencing anxiety, frustration or hurt utilize the powerful antidote found in Phil. 4:6-9 - Do not be anxious for anything but in everything by prayer, supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God and the peace of God that passes all comprehension will guard you heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, admirable and praise-worthy, let your mind dwell on these things. Put these into practice and the God of peace will be with you.
He gives us sweet peace, rest and relaxation so that we do not over-react to our hardship. Instead, we allow the Lord to work out His will for our lives by helping us not be overcome by evil but overcoming evil with good. (Rom. 12:21)
10. RECUPERATES - We can praise God that resucitates, renews and helps us recover from all kinds of illnesses, hardships and setbacks. When we are exhausted, worn out and frazzled in our nerves He reinvigorates us with a fresh dose of healing, energizing and regaining of our health. Allow the Lord to work His will in your life in a way that pleases Him and do not get anxious when the recuperation does not happen as fast as you like. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He will strengthen your heart.(Psa 27:17)
11. REFINES - We can praise God that He uses pain, hurt and hardships to purify us more into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. In every desert of trial God has an oasis of comfort to purify and improve us with. Allow the Lord to refine you by using pain, hurt and adversity to burn away the dross and impurities in your life.
Concluding Song and Illustration:
Moment by moment I’m kept in His love;
Moment by moment I’ve life from above;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.
Never a trial that He is not there,
Never a burden that He doth not bear,
Never a sorrow that He doth not share,
Moment by moment, I’m under His care.
Refrain
Never a heartache, and never a groan,
Never a teardrop and never a moan;
Never a danger but there on the throne,
Moment by moment He thinks of His own.
Refrain
Never a weakness that He doth not feel,
Never a sickness that He cannot heal;
Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,
Jesus my Savior, abides with me still.
Roles of the RULER & REIGNER – The King of Kings & the Lord of Lords
1. Rapport Giver
2. Reacher of the lost-lonely
3. Reacquainter
4. Readaptor
5. Reader
6. Readiness giver
7. Readjuster
8. Readopter
9. Reaffirmer
10. Reaffirmer
11. Realigner
12. Realizer
13. Reallocater
14. Reanimater
15. Reappearer
16. Reapplier
17. Reappointer
18. Reappointer
19. Reason giver
20. Reasoning One
21. Reassembler
22. Reasserter
23. Reassesser
24. Reassesser & revalue
25. Reassigner
26. Reassurer
27. Reawakener
28. Rebinder
29. Reborn Maker
30. Rebroadcaster
31. Rebuilder
32. Re-builder
33. Rebuker evil
34. Rebuker of the proud
35. Receiver of what is good
36. Receiver of what is true-pure
37. Receptive one
38. Recharger
39. Recipe giver
40. Reckon yourself as dead to sin
41. Reclarifier
42. Recognizer
43. Recombiner
44. Recommiter to God & to the word of His grace
45. Recompenser
46. Reconciler
47. Reconfigurer
48. Reconquestor
49. Reconsecrater
50. Reconsider
51. Reconsideration
52. Reconstructer
53. Reconvener
54. Recorder what He has done
55. Recover
56. Recovery Key
57. Recruiter
58. Re-crystallizer
59. Recuperator
60. Redeemer
61. Redesigner
62. Redirector
63. Redirector
64. Redirector of attention and energies and resources
65. Rediscover
66. Redistributer
67. Reducer of pain
68. Reducer of self
69. Reducer of selfishness and renew Christ-likeness
70. Reducer of the proud and unbelieving
71. Re-embarker
72. Re-emerger
73. Re-emphasizer
74. Re-enacter
75. Reencounter
76. Re-encourager
77. Re-energizer
78. Re-engager
79. Re-establisher to be permanent & accepted
80. Re-examiner
81. Re-examiner
82. Refashioner
83. Referrer to truth
84. Referral Agent
85. Refiner
86. Reflection
87. Reflector
88. Reflector on all He has done and given us
89. Refocuser
90. Reformulater
91. Refortifier
92. Refrainer from evil
93. Refresher
94. Refueler
95. Refuge
96. Refurbisher
97. Refuter error
98. Regaler
99. Regarded One to give obey and trust
100. Regards my helpless estate
101. Regenerator
102. Regreter of mistakes
103. Rehabilitates
104. Rehabilitator
105. Rehearser
106. Re-igniter
107. Re-inaugurator
108. Reinforcer
109. Reinitiator
110. Reinspector
111. Reinstaller
112. Reinstator
113. Reinstructor
114. Re-inventor
115. Reinvester
116. Reinvestigator
117. Reinvigorater
118. Re-invokes
119. Reiterate
120. Rejecter what is false
121. Rejoicer
122. Rejoicer in Him
123. Rejoicer in the Lord always
124. Rejuvenator
125. Rekindler
126. Relabeler
127. Relater
128. Relater to God and people with love
129. Relationship Deepener
130. Relationships giver with God and man
131. Relaxer
132. Releaser
133. Releaser all things to God’s will
134. Releaser of reigns
135. Relegate or send away
136. Relegater
137. Relenter from severity
138. Relentless
139. Reliable
140. Relief Giver
141. Reliever
142. Reliever yourself through prayer, trust and rest in God
143. Relinquisher of your rights
144. Relisher what is good
145. Remaining faithful
146. Remander evil
147. Remediation
148. Remedy Giver
149. Remember Jesus Christ
150. Remind of commands
151. Reminder
152. Reminder of Jesus Christ
153. Remover evil
154. Remover from sin
155. Remover of the angry
156. Renegotiator
157. Renewer
158. Renewer your mind, heart and soul
159. Renouncer
160. Renown
161. Reorderer
162. Reorienter
163. Repairer of the broken
164. Repeater
165. Replacer
166. Replacer of evil with good
167. Replanter
168. Replenisher
169. Repolisher
170. Repopulater
171. Reporter
172. Reporter to people and to God
173. Reposer
174. Repositioner
175. Representative
176. Representer
177. Repressor
178. Reprimander
179. Reproducer
180. Reprogrammer
181. Re-programmer
182. Reprover
183. Republisher
184. Repudiator of evil
185. Repurchaser
186. Request Director
187. Requisition from people and God
188. Rescript writer
189. Rescuer
190. Researcher
191. Reserver
192. Reserver at times
193. Reservoir
194. Resetter
195. Reshaper
196. Reshuffler
197. Resigner
198. Resister of temptation/evil
199. Resister of the devil
200. Resistor of temptation
201. Resistor of the proud
202. Resolute
203. Resolver of conflicts/problems
204. Resolver to do His will
205. Resort
206. Resource utilizer
207. Respecter God & people
208. Respectful One
209. Resplendent
210. Responder in love
211. Responder in love and truth
212. Responder to prayer and praise
213. Responsibility giver
214. Responsible One
215. Rest Giver
216. Restarter
217. Resting One
218. Restorer
219. Restorer
220. Restorer from Him
221. Restrainer
222. Restrainer your lips
223. Restrictor
224. Result Giver
225. Result Oriented One
226. Resumer
227. Resupplier
228. Resurrection power/perspective
229. Resuscitator
230. Retainer
231. Retainer
232. Reteacher
233. Reteller
234. Retentive
235. Rethinker
236. Retire setter
237. Retrainer
238. Retrospective
239. Re-uniter
240. Re-user
241. Revaluer
242. Revealer
243. Revealer
244. Revenue Giver
245. Revered God and the king
246. Revered One
247. Reverential One
248. Reviewer
249. Revisitor
250. Reviver
251. Reviver & Reinvigorater
252. Rewarder
253. Rewarder of the good
254. Reworker
255. Rhetoric Master
256. Riches Giver
257. Righteousness
258. River of life
259. Rock & fortress
260. Role Giver
261. Rose of Sharon
262. Rout Giver
263. Royal One
264. Run from lust
265. Runner of the race
