Day Eight: “Freedom from twelve years of disappointments”
For twelve years a woman had been suffering a condition of bleeding from which nothing she did brought relief. She suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.
Read the story: Mark 5:25-34
In Bible times, this kind of condition usually resulted in the woman being divorced by her husband, as well as being ostracized from society and excommunicated from the Synagogue for being unclean, It represented many long drawn-out defeats, setbacks, and uncertainties.
She believed that if she could simply touch the hem of the garment of Jesus, she would be healed. Pushing her way through the crowd and overcoming all the obstacles that were in her way, she reached out and touched His hem. Immediately her bleeding stopped and she was freed from her suffering. The uncertainty of years without answers was instantly removed as Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free from your suffering.”
After twelve years of no help or answers, she was now free from isolation, free from being socially ostracized, free from financial ruin, free from disappointment, defeat and setbacks. All her uncertainties were dissolved. One touch of the hem of Jesus’ garment and she was forever free in His victory and grace.
Activity:
Visualize yourself in a crowd with Jesus. Because the crowd is so large and everyone is trying to get close to Jesus, it appears you will not be able to get to Him. The jostling of the crowd knocks you to the ground and you fear being trampled. From the ground you use every ounce of strength you can muster to reach through the crowd and the obstacles in your way and you just barely touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. Immediately, you feel virtue flowing from him into you. Suddenly, all uncertainty is overwhelmed by His power and victory.
As you live that scene in your mind, allow the certainty of God’s loving provision to fill you with faith, joy, and praise for the freedom He is giving you.