I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in Your word.
Psalm 119:147 (NIV)
Series Focus: “Piece by Piece”
As much as I trust God, try to stay organized, and keep first things first, I still have days I feel like I am holding on by a thread. Do you? Amid challenging circumstances, feeling unqualified for the tasks before me, or just plain exhausted from the demands of life. I wish I always exhibited the strongest of faith. In my darkest moments, this doesn’t always hold true.
To find encouragement, I must open His word. Reading stories of men and women with unknown futures who cried out and trusted Jesus in their uncharted waters is strengthening. He is our true anchor, and in Him there is always hope.
Let’s delve into the Gospel of Mark 5:25-28, and discover a woman, who, although unnamed in scripture, has tremendous faith that Jesus will secure her tomorrows. For twelve years, she experienced painful suffering and seclusion, with no foreseeable end.
And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reposts about Jesus and came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If I touch even His garments, I will be made well.” (ESV)
This precious woman endured twelve years of anguish, with no solution in sight, until she heard reports about Jesus. Twelve long years of searching for answers for her bleeding issue. This affliction caused her not only physical pain but also emotional isolation. According to the law of Moses, she was “unclean” and therefore could not worship, touch, or be in the community with others. Years of missing out on things others most likely took for granted. I can only imagine the pain and heartache she suffered.
Have you had a hardship like hers? A time when you felt secluded, discouraged, abandoned, or disqualified for a long period? When you couldn’t see an end in sight, and you believed all possibilities were gone? Don’t remain paralyzed, there is hope! This woman had only heard about the miracles and her plan was simply to get as close to Jesus as possible. In her case, it meant pushing through a crowd who would most definitely scorn her. How will you get close to Him?
Our roads will have twists and turns. Sometimes we will detour and attempt to fix things on our own. We may not receive an immediate answer like this woman encountered. But, our plan must be the same. We must draw close to our Savior. It is in His presence we find our way.
Reach for the thread of His garment.
Come close to God and God will come close to you. (James 4:8a NLT)
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: Psalm 119:147, 145:118; Mark 5:25-34; James 4:8a; Hebrews 10:22