Friday, January 17, 2014

Rescued and Restored


You've heard her story.  

You know her plight.

Outcast.  Scorned.  Dismissed by society.  Considered dirty and unclean.  She is alone and afraid, cowering in her room away from the glaring eyes of society.  She only comes out at night because the cover of darkness makes her feel safe.

Doctors had tried to heal her but for twelve years had failed.  Then a man comes to town.  She hears of his ability to perform miracles.  His kindness and gentleness.  She wants to see Him but shes not supposed to go around others in her condition.  Touching her makes them 'unclean'. 

Who cares!!! I'm tired of living this way.  I know if I could just touch his clothes, He will heal me.  That's all I need, just a touch.  So, she covers her head and tries to blend into the crowd.  He stops to speak, touch, hug, heal others.  She's almost there.  So close.  Then, on her knees she is able to touch the tassel of his garments and immediately she feels the power surge through her.  She feels herself grow stronger. She's healed.  And then He stops!  "Who touched me?".  Oh no, what will happen to her now?  Will she be in trouble?  Will He be angry with her?  "Who touched me?"  

So she went and fell at his feet.  Mark 5:33 "Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet, trembling with fear, and told him THE WHOLE STORY".  

Did you hear that?  She told Him the whole story!!  All of it.  How angry she was that she had dealt with this for so long.  How disappointed she was that she had been shunned and dismissed.  How disappointed she was that God had not heard her cries and prayers for the past 12 years.  How weak she was because the sickness was draining the life out of her.  She dumped on Him.  She told him everything.

Have you ever been afraid to tell God how you really feel?  Do you think it would shock him if He knew?  He already does.  He is just waiting for you to come to him and be brutally honest.  Trust me, He will not get mad at you.  He will not turn away from you.  He loves you.  He wants you to be honest with Him about what you feel.  He wants to hear your words, your heart, you fears, anger and disappointment. 

Do you sometimes feel God plays favorites?  I'm sure she did.  She had prayed for the same thing day in and day out for 12 years.  Others would pray and the answers would fall from the sky into their laps as if UPS was on speed dial.  Why did God answer their prayers and not hers?  Why did she have to suffer for so long?

He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace and be freed from your suffering".   She was already healed.  That happened when she touched him.  So what did she need freed from?  Anger, disappointment, shame, the lies that had played non-stop in her head for the last 12 years.  She needed healing from the self-hatred she had worn on her shoulders like a heavy coat {The Storm Inside, Sheila Walsh}

She needed healing but Jesus wanted to make her whole.  He wants the same for us too.  He came to heal whats on the inside.  So, don't be afraid to be brutally honest with Jesus.  He can handle it.  He won't turn His back on you.  Instead, he will listen, hold you, wipe away your tears and say "go in peace and be FREED from your suffering"

2 Cor 12:9  "My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness"  

God wants to heal us of so much more than our physical ailments.  He wants to heal our souls.  But, unless we are honest with Him about what hurts, He can't touch the deep dark recesses of our soul and make them whole.  So, get honest with God.  He's your father and He loves you.  He wants to hear from you today

 

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