“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall” (Malachi 4:2).
I remember the agony of my divorce exactly five years ago. My wife had a midlife crisis and left our family to move into her own house and pursue her own dreams. I was devastated. I remember asking myself and others, "How could this happen?"
There were no answers at that time. The things I valued most in life--my relationships with my wife and my daughters--were being ripped away from me. The fear of what might happen was intense.
I was leading a mission trip in Brazil when my wife moved out. I wanted to immediately rush home and fight for my home! I turned to the Lord and to our mission team for support. The mission team members formed a circle and prayed over me. They urged me to turn to the Lord. When I returned home four days early, my greatest fear was not realized; the court gave me temporary custody of my daughters. I was even able to keep our home!
Now, five years later, I have a wonderful relationship with my daughters, a successful dental practice, and a deeper faith and love for the Lord. Frequently, those who experience divorce experience a crisis of faith, when what they need is an ongoing, closer walk with the Lord. God is the only one who can heal us from the tragedies in our lives!
Today's Scripture from Malachi brings the promise of healing to God's people and elation in the promise that things will be better, both now and in the kingdom to come.
Michael Vaughan has been a member of First Baptist Nashville for 12 years and has two daughters, Megan (17) and Mollie (14). He is a member of the missions committee and has led numerous mission trips to downtown Nashville and Rio de Janeiro. Michael is a general dentist, practicing in Hillsboro Village.
The audio version of today's devotional was recorded by Harry Chapman.
