Luke 8:42 – 48 As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
I am claustrophobic. Oh, not the severe, hyperventilating, going-to-die-if-I-get-caught-in-a-crowd kind of claustrophobic. I’m just the “please-step-back-and-don’t-breathe-my-air-or-I-will-growl-at-you” kind of claustrophobic. That is why I don’t like to drive cars with center consoles, and why I purchase extra tickets at our local football games. Just call me quirky. You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know.
If I had been Jesus on that day (aren’t we all glad I was not?) I would have probably barked at that woman. But Jesus is always welcoming. He is thrilled when we come to Him! He is never too crowded or too busy to recognize our faith-filled requests. When we trust Him to do what only He can do, He is impressed.
Not only that, but when we reach for Jesus, knowing that He will always keep His promises, we will receive His power! Did you hear what He said? “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
So, I have a question. If real faith produces real power, why don’t more of us exercise it? Faith is simply a belief that God – a good and loving God, will do what He said He will do. It is a belief that He will always work for our best, if and when we trust Him to do so.
A friend of mine told me that worry is actually negative faith. While faith believes in the goodness of God, worry believes in the bad things that might happen. As I think about that, I think that worry might have some power of its own. Faith produces power from God. Worry produces power from a negative source. For even if the thing we worry about never comes to be, it certainly robs us of a peaceful, joyful existence.
The woman in this story had faith. She received power, and she was healed. Though she had bled for twelve years, she was healed!
I wonder . . . I wonder what might happen if I were to choose to never again allow worry to rob my joy and peace, but instead . . . what if I were to simply reach out and touch Jesus, regarding every trouble that comes my way?
I have a feeling He would ask, “Who touched me?” Then, I think I would receive His power. Finally, I’ll just bet He’d look at me and say, “Go in peace.”
Dear Father, Please forgive me for forgetting the power that lives in simple, honest faith. Help me to come to you with my problems, believing that You will take care of them.
Amen
Fantastic post! I have come across this theme twice today…I am thinking there is something I need to pay attention to;)
Smiles and Blessings to you!
~mp:)
Thank you, MistiPearl! I think it’s a lesson we all need to be reminded of. I need to be reminded often!
Blessings to you, too! 🙂
I’ve been thinking about this same topic as well quite a bit lately. Whatever power God has for me, I want it! Thank you for writing about this. You did a great job.
Thank you, Pam. Me too!
I love that story. I was once that woman, and Jesus just poured out His power. Praise Him! Great post.
I was too, Anne. God has worked so many miracles in my life, I don’t know why I ever doubt him!
Wonderful post, Renae! Thank you so much!
Thanks, Jeanette! Happy Thanksgiving!