(The following is the February 15 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Mark 5 and pay close attention to verses 21-24 and 35-43.)
Hard times come to everyone. They come through physical challenges, poverty, broken relationships, disease, hunger, abuse, violence, fear, failure, and more. The most challenging times may involve the death of loved ones. Mourning can feel like our heart rips open and will never heal. Such woes are common to all humanity. However, they can be occasions for God to show kindness and mercy.
A synagogue leader named Jairus came to Jesus one day and fell at his feet, saying, “My little daughter is dying. Come and lay your hands on her so that she can get well and live” (v. 23). Jesus went with him. Before they arrived at Jairus’ house, “people came from the synagogue leader’s house and said, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore?’” (v. 35). Jairus’ heart must have sunk. His little girl was dead.
Jesus, however, told them to believe, and he went to the house anyway. He took the girl by the hand, told her to get up, and she did. Everyone was astounded. Oh, what joy the family and friends must have shown. Jesus turned their darkest moment into a celebration.
We do not expect Jesus to duplicate this miracle in the lives of those we lose to death. That is not the point of the story. A better takeaway is that Jesus has the ability and power to be present with us in the darkest of times and graciously show his power and mercy to accomplish what he knows to be best. The diagnosis of a terminal illness may be an opportunity to refocus one’s life and serve Christ more faithfully. A lost job may be an open door God wants us to walk through. Times of little money or food may call us to greater dependence on Christ, who alone satisfies. Are these not blessings from God? Without the need, we would not experience God’s provision.
Hardships never have the last word – Jesus does, and he is merciful, always wanting what is best for his children.
Next Step:
What difficulties burden you? What lessons is God teaching you through them? Thank him for his presence during troubles.