TEXT:
‘And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over” – Mark 5:34 NLT
THOUGHT:
When facing a crisis, especially to do with health, it’s comforting and encouraging to have the support of family and friends to help get through it. How do you cope however when you are on your own?
Today’s Teaching is about just such a person. Her story as recorded in Mark 5:25-34 is an inspiration for anyone facing similar circumstances whether surrounded with love or isolated on their own. This miracle has been recorded in the Bible to create hope that the same life-changing power through the name of Jesus can change your situation too. We will consider the following key points.
- Her Fear
She didn’t want to die and could think of a thousand reasons why she shouldn’t. Perhaps those around her spoke similar things to what Job’s wife said, “Curse God and die!” Yet to die without first finding peace with God through Jesus Christ is not relief or release at all.
- Her Fight
Doctors know that when a patient decides to fight the illness, it greatly increases their chances of recovery and this woman did just that. She tried everything she could possibly do to overcome it. Whoever she heard of that might be able to help her; off she went to see if they could. No expense was spared because in this fight there was no free national health service to help her stay alive.
- Her Failure
For all her fighting she had to admit defeat for her finances were exhausted. She ended up with no money and no better. Instead she was facing a worsening situation stony broke. Perhaps you or someone you love is in a similar situation. Nothing they have tried makes any real difference and things are getting steadily worse.
- Her Faith
That fighting spirit still lived on in her heart and one day she heard something that made it leap. The Bible says, “God is a present help in time of trouble”. Listen carefully, because God wants to show you what to do. Don’t listen to those who want to find fault, put you down, even saying that God is judging you because of sin. Everyone has sinned and the Gospel is good news for the sinner – God’s help is at hand!
She heard about a teacher who was healing anyone of any condition and doing it free of charge. Jesus trained His disciples to preach and demonstrate the Gospel of Good News and to her in her desperate state, it was good news indeed.
Firstly – her faith caused her to act in a strange way. She started talking about being healed before anything had happened to give her hope.
Secondly – she was willing to go where religious laws said she must not go. Her illness excluded her from society but to get where Jesus was she had to take her life in her hands.
Thirdly – she realised that by faith touching the hem of Jesus’ robe was the same as Jesus touching her. Many had been healed by Jesus laying His hands on them; far fewer received healing by touching Him. God is thrilled when your faith is able to draw out a miracle from Him. Jesus only knew this miracle was taking place when He felt power flowing out of Him. That’s why He asked, “Who touched Me?” Fearful and trembling, she owned up to what she had done. Jesus immediately commended her faith and sent her away with wonderful words ringing in her ears, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over”.
Fourthly – her faith and actions were imitated by others – Mark 6:56. When you get your breakthrough, your story will help others to do the same, if only you will tell it.
- Her Future
She was miraculously healed but still stony broke. Yet she was now able to work again and provide for herself. When God does the supernatural, we still have to do the practical. Blind Bartimaeus threw away his “Right to beg” blanket when Jesus called him, believing that he would not need it again once Jesus had healed him. After all, being healed meant he could not carry on relying on charity but would have to work just like everyone else. What a story she had to tell especially at the job interviews!
Just as faith changed her future, so it can be the same for you. Why not stop telling God how big your mountain is and instead consider how much bigger God is than your mountain? Start listening to the right voices for faith comes by hearing, whether it’s the voice of the Holy Spirit as you read the Bible or encouragement from people who know their God and what He can do.
2018 could just be your best year ever!
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