Flattened by Life

Daily Reading: Matthew 9

Scripture Focus: Rise, pick up your bed and go home. (Matthew 9.7)

Devotional Thought: One cool summer evening, I was riding along in my convertible, returning from a visit with a friend in NE Ohio. Suddenly, my tire blew and I found myself on the side of a country road. Opening the trunk, I discovered that my spare was flat. Uh oh. State Farm to the rescue! They sent a tow truck operator who pumped up my spare, told me to get the full size tire back on ASAP, and sent me on my way home.

What a parable for how Jesus healed the lame man! The lame man in Matthew 9, found himself out of options, just like me. State Farm to the rescue! Well, not exactly, but he did have four friends who took him to Jesus. He got pumped up, cleaned up and sent home.

I like what Jesus said to the man...

· Rise. Jesus doesn't leave us in our broken condition. He helps us to our feet. He pumps up our deflated lives, so we can go on our way. Most importantly, he forgives our sin!

· Pick up your bed. The lame man's bed represented all of his crippled past. Jesus was saying, in effect, "Your past paralysis does not define you. Your present circumstances don't control you. Your future challenges will not limit you. With my help, you are able to overcome!"

· Go home. The crippled man had a life to live. He had friends and a family who loved him. He needed to go home. Even if you don't have that, when you come to Jesus you have a family and a home - a place and a people where you belong. You are part of God's family, the Church.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for forgiving my sins, for helping me to my feet, for cleaning up my mess, and for giving me a 'home' in your family. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 89.19-26

19 Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said:

“I have granted help to one who is mighty;

I have exalted one chosen from the people.

20 I have found David, my servant;

with my holy oil I have anointed him,

21 so that my hand shall be established with him;

my arm also shall strengthen him.

22 The enemy shall not outwit him;

the wicked shall not humble him.

23 I will crush his foes before him

and strike down those who hate him.

24 My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him,

and in my name shall his horn be exalted.

25 I will set his hand on the sea

and his right hand on the rivers.

26 He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father,

my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’