Freed From My Suffering

Scripture: A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.  She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak,  because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”  But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.  Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.  He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”  Mark 5:24-29 NIV

Observation:  The crowd around Jesus was thick.  A woman who has suffered most of her life with endless bleeding thought “if only” I can touch his robe I will be healed.  She made her way though the crowd and touched the  hem of his robe.  She was healed.

Application: What was it like when Jesus healed you?  Do you remember before you were saved all the “if onlys” that never happened because you were depending on your own abilities the be healed?   We’ve all been healed!  Salvation through Christ is healing, his deliverance out of a difficult situation, physical or mental illness recovery are all examples of his healing.  How did your life change after you met him?

For me healing came in the form of forgiveness and love.  The Lord not only forgave me but he gave me the opportunity to experience love and forgiveness “God-style” through a new life he created for me in Kansas.  Not only have I gotten to experience love, friendship and marriage built on the Lord’s foundation, but my Kansas family and friends are loving and kind more that I deserve.  Many times I feel like I’m living in a dream and am so undeserving of this life.  My life still has experienced great sadness but I no longer face hardships and illness alone.  I have my Savior, the hope He has given me and my loving family.

How can I possibly show my love and thankfulness to this wonderful Creator and Lord?  I will profess my love and gratefulness for my Lord by standing strong under difficult situations.  Job set the example for me.  He never quit the Lord.  Even though Satan destroyed his family and took his health, Job held firm to the hope found in the Lord.  That is my responsibility as well, to call on my Lord for strength and guidance through my praise and worship of Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father there are no words to thank you.  I am humbled at the thought of all you have done and are doing.  The Psalms say you are my redeemer and so much more.  Thank you for never giving up on me, for allowing me to love and be loved in such an unconditional way.  Lord I pray for the members of my family who still do not know you and haven’t felt the love, forgiveness and salvation you offer.  Amen

Laurie