Only Believe

Good morning!  I hope you had a great weekend.

In Mark 5 we read the account of Jairus.  Jairus was a synagogue leader whose daughter was deathly ill.   Jairus came to Jesus, believing that the touch of His hand would bring healing to the young girl.   Jesus is delayed when a woman with severe bleeding touches the hem of His garment.   While Jesus is speaking to the woman, Jairus is informed that his daughter has died.  I want to focus on Jesus' response:

Mark 5:35-36 (NASB)
35  While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died ; why trouble the Teacher anymore ?"  36  But Jesus, overhearing what  was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." 

Maybe you've been there.  At your wits end, holding out hope for a miracle.   You know Jesus is the key to that miracle, but the answers to your prayers are not coming quickly.  Others are having their prayers answered and it seems like Jesus has forgotten about your request.   Then before you know it, things actually get worse. 

As you watch your dream die, the words of Jesus ring in your ears:  "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe."   In the case of Jairus, they arrive at the house to find people in mourning.  Jesus dismisses the crowd and enters the girl's room.  He takes her by the hand and raises her to her feet, alive and well.   In the end Jairus received the thing he was seeking to being with...a daughter who was well.  It was the journey to get there that took great faith.

I find often times that God takes me to the end result I was asking for, but the journey to get there takes me into some of my deepest doubts and fears.   By going through these places of my soul, my faith is ultimately strengthened and the glory of God is revealed to an even greater degree.

Today you may be waiting for prayers to be answered.  Don't lose hope, but simply believe.  God is working in ways you can't even imagine.

Until next Monday, may God's richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl