Touch Him and live

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, in the archives, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Friday, July 24, 2009
Devotions: Ps 40, 51, 54; 1 Sam 31:1-13; Acts 15:12-21; Mk 5:21-43

God blesses me when I trust and wait upon Him. He put a new song in my mouth. He blesses the faithful, and He crushes the proud and arrogant. You have given me an open ear and a hungry heart. I long to do Your will and bring You glory and praise, my God! I will share the good news of deliverance today; I will speak of Your faithfulness and steadfast love. I am surrounded by evil, but protected by Good Himself. Mercy, Lord; I know my sins; cleanse and purge me; fill me with joy and gladness. Create in me a clean heart and put a new, upright spirit within me. Keep me close; fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Save me by Your goodness and grace; vindicate me in Your power and holiness. God is my Helper, Upholder of my life. I give myself to You, my God, as a living sacrifice of praise; You have delivered me, and I look in triumph on my enemies.

Saul and his sons and armor-bearer fell in battle with the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. Gravely wounded, Saul fell on his own sword, to avoid being taken alive by the enemy. Israel abandoned their territory to the Philistines, who occupied their cities and land. The Philistines beheaded and stripped Saul’s body. They put his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan. The devout residents of Jabesh-gilead recovered the bodies of Saul and his sons from the Beth Shan wall, and burned the bodies at Jabesh. They took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days in mourning.

After Peter spoke, the Jerusalem assembly also heard the testimonies of Paul and Barnabas. After all others, James, Jesus’ half-brother, voiced the assembly’s decision, to which all agreed: ‘Simeon Peter’s words and the prophetic scriptures agree that God calls Gentiles as well as Jews. Therefore, we should not trouble Gentile converts with circumcision. We will write them to abstain from worshiping idols, from unchastity, from eating animals strangled in sacrifice to idols, and from eating blood—for everyone everywhere is aware of these customs, as the writings of Moses have commanded from the earliest days of our faith.’

Jesus landed on the western shore, returning from Gerasa, and a great crowd gathered around him. A synagogue leader named Jairus came to Jesus and fell at His feet, begging Him to come and heal his little daughter, who was sick and dying. Jesus went with Jairus. As He moved along, a woman in the crowd reached out to grasp the hem of Jesus’ robe. She had been suffering from chronic hemorrhage for twelve years, and had exhausted her resources and health, but continued to decline. She believed that she’d be healed if she merely touched Jesus’ garments. When she did, her bleeding stopped immediately and she could feel that her body was well. Jesus stopped in His tracks and asked, ‘Who touched Me?’ He perceived that power had gone out from Him. His companions wondered at the question: ‘Lord, You’re walking in a jostling crowd; how can You ask?’ But Jesus and woman knew what had happened. She came to him, trembling with fear, and fell before Him and told Him the truth. And Jesus said, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your disease.’ While He was saying this, messengers arrived from Jairus’ home to tell him, ‘Your daughter has died. Why trouble the Teacher any further?’ But Jesus said to the man, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe!’ And taking Peter, James and John, He proceeded to Jairus’ home. There, He encountered a crowd of mourners, and announced to them that the child was not dead but sleeping. They laughed at Him, but Jesus sent them all outside and with the parents and His three apostles, Jesus went into the room where the child lay. Taking her hand, Jesus said to her, ‘Talitha, cumi’ (Little girl, I say to you arise!). Immediately, the girl got up and walked; she was 12 years old. All were overcome with amazement. Jesus strictly charged them that no one should know all this, and told them to give her something to eat.