Isaiah 53:5 is such a hope-filled, amazing grace scripture. I just think about the Easter story whenever I read it. ‘But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.’ 

I was amazed that I had made it to the Good Friday service this Easter. Even though I was on strong pain killers I was still feeling the pain from the stomach ulcer the doctors at the hospital had diagnosed. I stood as best I could singing the song, ‘Through the storm’ by Hillsong, with tears running down my cheeks. Yes, I was going through a storm, but all I kept thinking about was the scripture Isaiah 53:5: By His stripes I am healed.  

BY HIS STRIPES

Life can throw you curve balls sometimes and it’s in those dark moments that we really learn to lean on God. Maybe you’re going though a storm right now as you’re reading this. You feel as though your little boat has been beaten and tossed about by the powerful waves that just seem to keep on coming. Relentless winds stop you from moving forward as you try to navigate your vessel across the waters of life.

Luke 22:31-32 reminds us that Satan has asked for us so he can sift us like wheat. He is relentless in his pursuit to steal our joy and strength. But the great news is that Jesus has prayed for us so our faith should not fail and it’s in the testing and trials that we realise how deep and wide our faith is. 

People tend to tell you about their trial when they’ve come out the other side of it. When they can see their victory and look back in retrospect. But I wanted to tell you while I’m going through my trial. I wanted you to see that I stand on the promise and believe that by his stripes we are healed. I am still in the process of my healing and recovery. The trial has drawn me even closer to God and I now feel a peace that I had not experienced for a while. Satan is not going to sift me like wheat and he’s not going to win either! 

If you are going through a trail right now and you need healing, I want to encourage you my friend. You are loved and cherished by a God who loves you so much. This trial is because Satan has asked for you and he wants to sift you like wheat. It’s through the trail we are reminded of the Easter story.

 Jesus endured 39 lashes from a merciless Roman solider, who tore at His back with the shards from his whip. Beaten and bruised until He was unrecognisable. Made to carry the two wooden beams to Golgotha, Jesus was now going to be crucified. Yes, Satan has asked for you and he wants to sift you like wheat. But you need to remind him that it is by Jesus’ stripes that we are healed. And that’s a promise I’m standing on!  

Wendy xo