"Be strong and of good courage,
do not fear nor be afraid of them;
For the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.
He will not leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6
"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you.
He will be with you.
He will not leave you nor forsake you;
Do not fear nor be dismayed."
Deuteronomy 31:8
Perhaps someone out there needs to hear these words of hope and strength and courage today. Perhaps that someone is me...or you...
And then I turned the pages in my Bible and landed on these encouraging words of healing in
Luke 8:48 ~
"Daughter, be of good cheer;
Your faith has made you well.
Go in peace."
Dear friends, I know there are many out there in need of healing; whether it be physical, emotional, spiritual, or even material healing; i.e; financial, home, employment, too much or not enough...whatever the case may be...Jesus wants to bring healing to you.
In this particular situation found in Luke 8:43-48, there was a woman who had suffered for many, many years. She had spent all her livelihood on doctors who could not heal her. And as Jesus was passing through her region, many multitudes of people thronged about Him...reaching out and calling to Him, begging Him to heal them. Envision a current day rock star or popular politician or leader trying to work His way through the crowds with so many clamoring to be recognized...and imagine this person suddenly stopping in the midst of the crowd and asking, "Who touched Me?" I am sure we would respond much like Peter did, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" But Jesus knew that power had gone out from Him, and that someone was reaching out to Him in faith. When the woman realized that Jesus was aware of her, she fell down before Him and "declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately." And then Jesus said to Her the words highlighted above from verse 48.
Do you have any burdens today that have become too hard to bear? My Bible tells me that if I just reach out in faith, believing, God will take care of me. It also tells me not to fear...and that He will never forsake me.
Such amazing grace! "Daughter, be of good cheer!"
Such beautiful words..."Your faith has made you well...go in peace!"
Such words of hope and comfort..."Do not fear nor be dismayed!"
Thank you, Lord, for these promises and words of hope tonight.
As we reflect on these words,
may they encourage, comfort and heal those who might be afraid or in need of a touch from You.
Amen.
