by Tammy Phillips
May 18, 2021
For the iniquity of his covetousness, I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. (Isaiah 57:17 NKJV)
The Lord was talking about His people in this verse and their idolatry. I know it is kind of a different verse for an encouragement, but it was the last phrase in the verse that rang by bell. “He went on backsliding in the way of his heart.”
In February of this year, my stepfather who I was estranged from, but had made peace with in 2015, passed. I was told that he died from “inoperable heart issues” which had been aggravated by covid. I hope that in the end of his life he had dealt with his spiritual heart issues. After reading this verse and meditating the cause of my stepfathers death, Holy Spirit led me to the Great Physician fora heart check-up. I do not want to die of “inoperable heart issues” in spirit or body. At that time, I was still back sliding in my eating. I knew better. I had just not surrendered my whole heart or mouth to the Lord.
The Great Physician has the very best bedside manners. He is loving, kind, gracious and merciful. There is no condemnation in His voice for what we should have done. His immediate diagnosis followed in the next verses of Isaiah 57:
18 I have seen his ways and will heal him; I will also lead him and restore comforts to him and to his mourners. 19 “I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to [him who is] far off and to [him who is] near,” Says the LORD, “And I will heal him.”
Jehovah Rapha spoke right to my heart at this visit. I heard Him say:
I have seen your ways. I am there with you, beside you, in front of you, behind you and covering you. I am always with you.
I will HEAL YOU
I will cure, mend, stitch, repair, and restore.
I will make you whole.
I will LEAD YOU.
I will guide, transport, and straiten you.
I will lead you back to Me and My way.
I will RESTORE COMFORT TO YOU.
I will be at peace and live-in peace with you.
I will repay, reward, and recompense
I will complete and finish.
I will completely console you.
PEACE.PEACE.
COMPLETE. COMPLETE.
WHOLE. WHOLE.
HEALED. HEALED.
If you have been far off and have back slidden, or if you have been near and following me.
I WILL HEAL YOU.
What caring and comforting words from the Great Physician Who always has ears to hear. He always loves us right where we are. He is there to pick up the pieces of our brokenness and sew our hearts back together, whole, healed, and complete.
I enCOURAGE you to go the Great Physician for a heart check-up. You will not regret it. I promise you will feel so much better after your visit. Follow His instructions and you will be whole, healed, and complete.
Complete in Him 