Only Believe
While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
~ Luke 8:49-50 (NIV)
Have you ever experienced a time when everything was going well, and suddenly the bottom dropped out? Maybe it was a tragedy, such as the death of a loved one, the loss of your career, or bad news from your doctor.
If so, then you will find yourself in the touching story of how Jesus dealt with a man named Jairus. Everything was going wonderfully in his life—until his beloved twelve-year-old daughter grew very ill. No doubt he had called in the finest physicians, but she grew more and more ill. There was nothing he could do.
We don’t know whether Jairus was a believer in Jesus. The Bible doesn’t say. Being the head of the synagogue, he would have been a man of faith, a religious man. He had probably heard about Jesus and believed that he could save his daughter’s life. So he found the Lord and begged Him to go and lay hands on her. He had faith in Jesus and placed his complete trust upon Him.
Jairus’s faith was dramatic, especially when the story shifts, and it is revealed that his daughter had died. Still, Jairus believed the Lord could intervene. At this particular time in the ministry of the Lord, He had not raised anyone from the dead. He had healed people, but there had not been any resurrections. I love what Jesus said to Jairus at this point: “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed” (Luke 8:50).
Jairus reached out to Christ and found what he needed from Him. His little girl was raised from the dead. It is a glorious story, and it serves as a simple reminder that everyone needs the Lord. Some people don’t think they do. But in reality, everyone desperately needs Him.
Gracious God, I am facing one of the hardest battles of my faith. You don't make sense to me right now, Father. I don't understand why things happen that you could prevent. My mind and my heart cry out for reasons and answers, yet I know that may not be for me to know right now. Everyone around me thinks I am crazy to remain faithful to you, but I know that it is my only choice. Either you are God in control of the universe or you are not God at all. I believe that you love me and want what is best for me, even when it doesn't feel that way. Give me strength and grace to fight this battle. Help me to focus on you, remember your love, and take the next step. In your almighty name, Amen.
In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Devotion © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.
When the bottom drops out, here's why you don't have to be afraid.
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