BAD TO THE BONE VS JOY TO THE BONES!

June 13, 2022

May their path be dark and slick, as the angel of the LORD pursues. For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul. May ruin befall them by surprise; may the net they hid ensnare them; may they fall into the hazard they created. Then my soul will rejoiceH1523 in the LORD and exultH7797 in His salvation. All my bones will exclaim, “Who is like You, O LORD, who delivers the afflicted from the aggressor, the poor and needy from the robber?” . . . May those who favor my vindication shout for joyH7442 and gladnessH8055; may they always say, “Exalted be the LORD who delights in His servant’s well-being.” Then my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness and Your praises all day long.

Psalm 35:7-10, 27-28

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

We are not sure when “Bad to the bone” became a slang expression for something really good. We find it annoying the way vocabulary is flipped to no longer mean what it once did. The Psalmist prayed for deliverance and proclaimed that even his bones would praise the Lord! Arthritis makes our bones hurt, and depression is sometimes felt to the bone. However, joy can be felt to that depth as well. Our Lord delivers us not only from our slavery to sin, but many times from poverty, depression, and sometimes even literal enemies. Pain and affliction can plague deeply, but joy can penetrate to the cellular level as well! The overcomer can shout joyfully in victory despite persistent pain. When we feel powerless over our pain, Jesus is still omnipotent—all-powerful. As Paul wrote, “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). I (Susan) may not always feel this scripture in my earth-suit, but I trust and apply this verse to my life because feelings lie; but the word of God is always true.

Are you in pain? Are you facing a difficult situation? Has someone laid a trap to place blame on you falsely? Pray asking the Lord to deliver you. Then rejoice in anticipation of His answering your prayer. Take a moment to recount all the excellent things the Lord has done in your life and experience joy to the bones!

Father, we praise You right now because we can trust You to not only sustain us but bring us to a place of victory. Let us experience joy in Your grace and love that is felt even to our bones!

Worship for those who need encouragement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktV3Bm5DHZY