DAILY DEVOT IONAL 12
Lela Hartranft
Psalm 37:1-10
Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. - Psalm 37:4 (KJV)
My fraternal grandmother, Lelah Jewell passed away in her early forties. My twin sister and I were born prematurely and were critically ill. My parents had decided that the first twin born, my sister, would be named after our grandmother. However, the doctors did not think she would survive. My daddy did not want to lose another “Lelah” and so I was named Lela Jewel. We survived. A few times after that my daddy had to face the possibility of losing another “Lelah,” when we were ill with diphtheria, when I had to have major surgery, and when I was ill with Covid19.
My daddy delighted in the Lord, daily reading his Bible and praying, In Exodus 15:26 we read, “I am the Lord, who heals you.” Every time I was critically ill, prayers were offered and I was healed. Knowing intercessory prayers on my behalf had been answered, my faith increased as I began praying for family members and others for their journey of healing. I prayed with people in parking lots, stores, etc. desiring that God would heal everyone I prayed for.
When I became a Lay Supply Pastor, another of Daddy’s desire was fulfilled, that one of his children would become a preacher. Because of the healings in my life, God granted the desire of my daddy that aligned with God’s plan and purpose for my life.
QUESTIONS:
1. What does Psalm 37:4 teach us about the relationship between our desires and God’s will for us?
2. What role does trust play in healing, and how does Psalm 37:4 reassure us that God desires to bring us wholeness?
3. When facing illness or pain, how does Psalm 37:
4 remind us that God sees our struggles and wants to bring healing?
CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we come before You, thankful for Your promise to give us the desires of our hearts as we delight in You. Guide us on our journey of healing, and may we always find comfort in knowing that You are leading us toward wholeness. We surrender our desires to You and ask that Your will be done in our lives. Thank You for walking with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.