August 3, 2024
Read Mark 5:22-24, 35-43
Concluding the checkup from our imaginary enforcement role, the last piece of information from Faith’s particulars is that faith is purposeful.
There must be a reason to express faith. We must be intentional about what we seek God for. We must approach Him with the expectation and confidence that He will meet us at the point of our needs despite opposition, obstacles, delays or setbacks (See Matthew 7:7, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 11:6, Philippians 4:19, and Habakkuk 2:3).
The certain woman in Mark 5:25-32 approached Jesus with one thing on her mind - to get healed from the affliction she battled for 12 years! This was not going to be straightforward because the Bible records in Mark 5:21 that a great multitude had gathered around Jesus. To top that, Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter. Undaunted by the crowd or Jesus’ agenda at the time, she pushed through, came behind Him, touched his garment and received her miracle (v27-29).
In being intentional with our faith, we must be wary of opposition, even from unsuspecting sources.
Jairus, looking to Jesus to heal his daughter in Mark 5:22-24, 35-43, endured the commotion that ensued from Jesus’ abrupt pause, when he stopped suddenly to investigate who touched Him from among the multitude. Worse still, news came to Jairus not to bother Jesus anymore because his daughter had passed on (v35). Imagine the agitation and despair within Jairus, his daughter barely hanging on to life, Jesus seemingly delayed on His way, only for her to pass on. Thankfully, Jesus followed through, and his daughter was brought back to life (v41-42).
In being intentional with our faith, we must be wary of opposition, even from unsuspecting sources. In what was sarcastic rhetoric, the disciples rebutted Jesus for asking who touched Him, seeing the multitude that thronged Him. You would think that those closest to Jesus understood what had transpired. No, they did not. Only Jesus knew that power left Him. Proximity to power is not equivalent to power. This is why we must seek Jesus and Jesus alone! No intermediaries, no mediums or prayer contractors.
In being intentional with our faith, we must be wary of naysayers and bad news bearers. Jairus’ faith was only so strong. It got him to fall at Jesus’ feet and beg Him earnestly (v22-23). Jesus, sensing the fragility of his faith and the impact the words spoken by those who came from Jairus’ house would have on him, was quick to uphold him with His own words of encouragement (v36).
When Jesus got to Jairus’ home, he went there with three of His most trusted associates (v37), got the crowd outside and involved only the parents of the girl who was asleep (v40). Your business is not everyone else’s business. Be intentional with your faith and let God relate with you as Father to child.
Song of Worship
Give me Faith
Song by Elevation Worship
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank You because I know that when I come to You, I come in faith with purpose. When I come, I come with the expectation that You will answer me according to Your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Help me to ignore and overlook opposition to my faith in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible in 1 year: Psalms 66-67; Romans 7
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