Day 24: Matthew 6-9

Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. (Matthew 9:22 NIV)

There was a time shortly before my son turn one that he became ill and absolutely miserable. Our little fella couldn’t find a way to tell us what was going on, except through his squirms and obvious discomfort. Desperate to find some relief for him, we naturally took him to the doctor. It turned out to be a simple ear infection which could be treated with antibiotics.

Relieved that the solution was so simple, we started him on the medication. But then, he developed a rash all over his little body. And it kept getting worse. So back to the doctor we went.

Turns out that our little boy was allergic to the antibiotic. We’re grateful that we figured it out in time and he was able to switch medications quickly. For the past 12 years, we’ve had to be cautious about any treatment he receives so as not to expose him to a potentially harmful drug.

So I can’t imagine how the woman in Matthew 9:20-22 must have felt. She had been bleeding for 12 years.

We spent 12 years armed with information to deal with our son’s allergy while she spent 12 years racking up doctors’ bills wondering how to get better.

Her illness was a mystery to her and her physicians, but it wasn’t a mystery to God.

She had all but lost heart until she met Jesus.

Friend, I don’t know what you’re going through that has caused you to lose heart, but I believe God is speaking these words to you today: “Take heart, daughter”.

When all else seems hopeless, we can take heart, knowing our God is faithful. He may not reveal the answers when and how we think, but He never lets us down.

So, keep hoping, keep trusting and take heart.

-Marva