There have been times in my life with I have prayed a faith-filled prayer and seen miracles happen. But there have also been times when I had no faith and faced a seemingly hopeless situation and Jesus came and touched me and made me new again.
Today’s Scripture Reading: Mark 5:1-20, Matthew 8:28-34, Luke 8:26-39, Mark 5:21-43, Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8:40-56
In Mark 5, two miracles happened in a matter of hours that give us hope in hopeless situations:
A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. –Mark 5:25-26
As Jesus was making His way to Jairus’ house to heal his daughter, an unnamed woman with an incurable condition joined the crowd. She had suffered from bleeding for 12 years. This may have been a chronic menstrual disorder or a uterine hemorrhage. Her condition made her ritually unclean, excluding her from normal social relations since any who came in contact with her would become “unclean.” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)
She had spent all her money on doctors and nothing had helped, so it was either touch this Jesus or live in this lonely state of sickness and seclusion for the rest of her life. She made her way through the crowd; she thought, “if I can just touch His robe.” Immediately she was healed…she touched Jesus.
Jesus continued toward Jairus’ house, when the news came that Jairus’ daughter had died. Jesus told Jairus, “don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”
The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!” And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed. Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then he told them to give her something to eat. –Mark 5:40-43
- Two impossible situations
- Two people desperate for Jesus
- Two miracles
- Two examples for you and me
Are you desperate today? Whether you touch the hem of His garment or He enters your home and takes your hand, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is your miracle-working God.
There is one thing these two people had in common, beside a need:
Desperation
Desperation + knowledge of Jesus’ miracle working power = faith to believe the impossible is possible.
Let’s take our desperate situations to Jesus and expect a miracle.
And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. (1 John 5:14-15)
I read a great post from Lysa TerKeurst, at the Proverbs 31 website. If you have time check it out: Why am I scared to pray boldly?
Heavenly Father, we want to have faith that is pleasing to you. We believe, help our unbelief (Mark 9:24).
In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:27-34, Mark 6:1-6, Matthew 13:53-58, Matthew 9:35-38, Mark 6:7-13, Matthew 10:1-42, Luke 9:1-6
