The Faith of a Desperate Woman

 

Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith…(NIV)

             Jesus was both popular and unpopular in many groups. Those who were sick, outcasts, weary, and hungry to learn more about God came from all parts of the country to see and hear this interesting man speak about the wonders of God. On the other hand, many of the religious leaders who felt threatened by him, due to his ability to be able to capture the attention of the masses, perform miracles, and offer hope to the hopeless, conspired to get rid of him without angering his supporters. They knew that the day would come when they would have the opportunity to get rid of what they considered to be a thorn in their side.

 

 

            One day, as Jesus was on his way to the home of a man named Jairus to heal his dying little girl, a large crowd was gathered around him when all of a sudden something miraculous happened. There was a woman who had a major feminine problem. She had a menstrual cycle that would never end. For twelve long years she suffered with this condition. She had gone from doctor to doctor to get treatment, but no one seemed to be able to help her. Instead of her problem becoming better, it grew increasingly worse. She had spent all her money trying to find help, but it only left her with broken dreams.

             She was desperate for help and there was only one person that she knew who could help her. It was the man they called Jesus of Nazareth. Therefore, she set out to make contact with him. She thought to herself that if only she could touch the hem of His garment, her body would be healed. Her time had come and out of her desperate need for help, she saw Jesus and touched his garment. Despite all the people who were around Jesus, He knew that someone had been healed by touching Him. When He asked who it may have been, the woman, not knowing if she would be rebuked, fell at Jesus’ feet and explained why she had touched Him. Jesus told her that due to her faith, it had made her well and to go in peace for her suffering was over.

            The Apostle Paul lets us know that we must take up the shield of faith. Why is faith our shield? Without it, we will succumb to thoughts of doubt, that can ruin our walk as warriors for Christ. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV) We must have faith in order to please God. Without it, we are nothing more than unprepared soldiers who will be slain on the battlefield. The shield, during the Roman era, protected the soldier from whatever was thrown his way. All he had to do was lift it up, and the object thrown would bounce off. This is how faith works. Faith allows doubt to bounce off even when you can’t see beyond your current circumstances. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (NIV)

 

 

            As warriors for Christ, we must be confident in the promises of God and never waiver. James 1:6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (NIV) Whatever God has spoken over our lives will come to past, but all we have to do is keep the faith and believe. His word never returns void. Isaiah 55:11 So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (NIV)