Good Tuesday morning! For more than 3 years I have said "college student", but today that is no more. Can you see the relief and happiness? No? Well, not yet. A period of personal sacrifice that long will not be recovered from overnight. Just like in the Christian life, a decade or two of living away from God cannot be overcome in our own strength immediately, if at all. We need the healing power of Jesus to recover from the long illness of sin, and we need that same healing power to recover from long periods of trial or illness on this earth. No overnight healing? One day we will wake up in Heaven, as though from a long and difficult sleep, and on that day we will experience an overnight healing unlike any we have seen on this earth. With a touch and a word of welcome, Jesus will bring us home and heal every hurt and sorrow. Now that is a promise that I like to recall often!
Our entire life on this earth is a trial, with good moments in between periods of trial and tribulation. A moment of happiness may be overcome by news of the many ills this world throws at us. Only in Christ is there lasting joy for our hearts. Yes, I am finished with school, 23 years late by most standards, but in God's own perfect time. The happiness and relief that I feel now will fade in time, but the joy in my heart from the love of Jesus will never go away.
In Mark this morning I read a short, but very powerful passage. In this passage, Jesus first heard the news of Jarius' sick daughter, but before He could get to Jarius' house, the woman who had suffered for 12 years from a bleeding illness touched His robe. Feeling the healing power go out from Him, Jesus wanted to know who had touched His robe with such faith. The woman admitted the act after a bit and fell at His feet. In my mind an entirely appropriate response to the Lord Jesus! Of course we know that Jesus did not chew her out or tell her to ask permission first. No, He gave her the good news that her suffering had ended... just as He will tell us one day in His glorious presence! Was Jesus finished then? No! He later went on to Jarius house and raised the man's daughter from death. There is no limit to the healing power of Jesus, trust in Him and do not be afraid... the very words Jesus spoke to Jarius when others tried to dissuade him from asking to heal his daughter. "Don't be afraid, just trust me!" (Mark 5:36, NLT)
Faith in Jesus never wears out!
Bucky
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