Restored by the Creator

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalms 139:13 (NIV)

A friend of mine recently had open heart surgery. After his surgery, we were talking about the procedure. Before the surgery, they stop the heart, so the surgeon has a still organ to perform the intricate repairs–repairing or replacing heart valves, bypassing blocked arteries–whatever is required. At the surgery's completion, they restart the heart. The organ that has not been beating for the duration of the hours long surgery needs to resume its regular operation. Following the surgery are weeks of recovery as our fearfully and wonderfully made (v. 14) bodies heal themselves inside and out.

This remarkable process of stopping and restarting the heart and the body's subsequent healing reflects the profound truth in Psalms 139:13-16. The bodies that God has created are indeed marvelous works. His creation is intricately complex and amazingly resilient. 

The psalmist David continues in verse 16, saying that not only is God aware of our formation, but He is also aware of our future: “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” During that time of surgery, when the patient’s heart stopped beating, God sees beyond that to the days ahead. 

Our bodies' design and resilience, crafted by God’s hands, remind us that He can also restore our faith. Just as a heart can be repaired and restarted, our faith can be renewed. When our souls are damaged, the God who created our bodies cares intimately for them, bringing about transformation. In all this, we praise His name and trust in His infinite wisdom and love, knowing He sees beyond our present struggles to the future He has ordained for us.

Heavenly Father, we marvel at Your creation and the intricate care with which You formed us. We praise You for healing and restoration in our lives. Grant us the wisdom and strength to always trust in Your plans, secure in the knowledge that we are in Your hands in the past, present, and future. In Jesus, our Savior, we pray. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim