You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11
Babies left untouched from birth often suffer from “reactive attachment disorder.” As they grow up they are unable to trust and have no desire to be touched or held. If later adopted, the new parents struggle with the child’s inability to be loved or to respond to their attempts of affection. On the other side of the spectrum, it is proven that hugs and the human touch can help people heal faster from physical illnesses. Such human touch lets them know someone cares.
Jesus offers us His words of encouragement through the gospel and fills us with His joy – a joy that can only come from Him. Hugging us with the knowledge of the path of life, He proves that He cares, granting us His eternal pleasures at His right hand. His baptismal water has truly touched our heads, and His body and blood truly touch our lips at His altar with His forgiveness.
Yet the heart of Jesus also craves our loving responses, or touches, as well. In loving response to what He has done for us, He desires that we seek Him in His Word, stay in communion with Him through prayer, and live a life of service for Him. And as His love and joy flow into and through us, others experience and are hugged by Him as well.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for hugging me when I study Your Word. Through Your Spirit, use me to willingly hug others with Your love. Amen.
Jan Brunette
2017
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11
Babies left untouched from birth often suffer from “reactive attachment disorder.” As they grow up they are unable to trust and have no desire to be touched or held. If later adopted, the new parents struggle with the child’s inability to be loved or to respond to their attempts of affection. On the other side of the spectrum, it is proven that hugs and the human touch can help people heal faster from physical illnesses. Such human touch lets them know someone cares.
Jesus offers us His words of encouragement through the gospel and fills us with His joy – a joy that can only come from Him. Hugging us with the knowledge of the path of life, He proves that He cares, granting us His eternal pleasures at His right hand. His baptismal water has truly touched our heads, and His body and blood truly touch our lips at His altar with His forgiveness.
Yet the heart of Jesus also craves our loving responses, or touches, as well. In loving response to what He has done for us, He desires that we seek Him in His Word, stay in communion with Him through prayer, and live a life of service for Him. And as His love and joy flow into and through us, others experience and are hugged by Him as well.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for hugging me when I study Your Word. Through Your Spirit, use me to willingly hug others with Your love. Amen.
Jan Brunette
2017