Tough times? Trust God!

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 in the archives, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog. As you read, I encourage you to add in any reflections or comments you may have.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Monday, March 8, 2010
Devotions: Ps 77, 80; Gen 44:18-34; 1 Cor 7:25-31; Mk 5:21-43

I cry aloud, that God may hear me! Lord, I need Your help! I can’t sleep, and I can’t stay awake. I’m in pain at every level. All I can do is recall the times God has helped me in the past. Lord, I know Your way is holy; I know You love me; I know You are all-powerful. That makes my situation ludicrous—You know what You’re doing, and even what I’m doing, better than I. So I will trust You, Lord—I have no alternatives. Lord, let Your face shine upon me, that I may be saved. You delivered Your people over the millennia—from the Flood, from Babel, from Egypt, from exile—so turn again, Lord of hosts. Let Your hand be upon Your servant; restore me, Lord, and I will serve You forever.

Judah approached his brother Joseph, still unaware of who he was, and reviewed the family history and the interactions between Egypt’s overlord and the remaining sons of Jacob. Judah offered himself as a hostage in place of Benjamin, to avoid the devastation that their father would experience if his youngest son were lost.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians: Concerning the unmarried, I offer my own perspective, as one trustworthy in the Lord. It is better to be single; but if one is already married, he or she should remain so. Marriage is not sin—it may be unwise in times of distress. The forms of this world are passing away, as God kingdom approaches.

Jesus arrived on the Galilean shore, and a great crowd thronged Him. One of the synagogue rulers, Jairus by name, came and fell at Jesus’ feet. Jairus begged Jesus to come and lay hands on his daughter, who was at the point of death. So Jesus went with Jairus. As they proceeded, a great crowd surrounded them. Among the crowd was a woman who had suffered chronic hemorrhages for 12 years. She had spent all her substance on doctors, and was no better for the treatments—her conditioned keep getting worse. Having heard about Jesus, the woman had resolved that she would try to touch His garments, believing His power might heal her. When she touched Jesus’ garments, her hemorrhaging ceased immediately, and she felt in her body that she was healed. Jesus sensed the power going forth from Him, and stopped in His tracks, asking ‘Who touched My garments?’ The disciples thought the question odd: Jesus was surrounded by a jostling crowd, so many people had touched Him. But the woman knew what Jesus was saying, and she came in fear and trembling, falling at His feet, and told Jesus her whole story. ‘Daughter,’ He replied, ‘Your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’ While Jesus was saying this, messengers arrived from Jairus’ house; they announced, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?’ But Jesus told Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe!’ And He allowed only Peter, James and John to accompany Him. They arrived at the synagogue ruler’s house. There was a tumult of mourning there. As Jesus entered, He addressed the mourners, ‘Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.’ They mocked Jesus, but He put them all outside. Taking the parents and His three apostles with Him, Jesus went into the room where the girl was. He took her hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cumi,’ which means, ‘Little girl, I tell you, arise!’ Immediately she got up and walked (for she was 12 years old). The witnesses were amazed. Jesus solemnly charged them to tell no one, and directed that the give the girl something to eat.