Someone asked recently, are the things happening around the
world and in the Body of Christ not strange? Not really! They were foretold
long ago. In fact, based on the Scriptures, worse things and more deviant
behaviors will increasingly happen as we see the Return of the Lord draw
nearer. At the same time, these times will equally herald amazing workings of
God among those that believe in Him. In recent times, because of the economic
downturn of nations, political uprisings, contagious diseases and the likes,
many have lost loved ones, jobs, businesses and homes. Some are going through tough and rough times, and it looks as if God has abandoned His people.
This is not true! God is very much with His people! For as many that cry out to
Him from a sincere heart and run to Him, He saves! Sadly, instead of running to
Him, many do cry to Him but with a heart filled with grumbling, complaints and
worrying. He asked us to ask, seek and knock not grumble, complain and worry.
Such prayers will not be answered!
Beloved, we should not be alarmed at what is
happening, the Bible had already told us what will happen and the state of
hearts that will be prevalent in these times: “But know this: difficult times will come in the last days. For people
will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy…holding to the form of religion but
denying its power…” (2Timothy 3:1-2,5a). Sadly, for as many that succumb to
the trappings of this present age are being changed into spiritually bent people!
In
Luke 13:10-17, Jesus performed a miracle on a woman that was afflicted with a
disease that caused her to be bent over for 18 years. She could not look up or
raise herself up! Sounds familiar? So many can barely look beyond their pastors,
doctrines or self; they are spiritually bent, unable to raise themselves up to
see the Lord for themselves! For this woman, one could only imagine the pain
she was going through; and very possibly, must have spent all her earnings on
trying to get well. For 18 years! I can assure you that at this point she had
resigned herself to fate! However, despite her physical limitations and pain,
she attended the Service at the Synagogue; and Jesus saw her: “But when Jesus saw her, He called her to
Him and said to her, ‘woman, you are loosed from your infirmity’. And He laid
His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God”
(Luke 13:12-13).
When the miracle was questioned by the leader of the
Synagogue, Jesus referred to the woman as the daughter of Abraham. Meaning she
had a covenant relationship with God. Beloved, because you are a child of God,
the covenant made to Abraham covers you as well; it is not just in songs but in reality: “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your
descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be
God to you and your descendants after you” (Genesis 17:7); “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not
all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your
diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction” (Psalm 103:2-4a). Her
infirmity was not caused by God but by the devil. Jesus referred to it as ‘bondage’.
Through it, God displayed His authority over the devil and his works. Jesus declared:
“For the Son of Man did not come to
destroy men’s lives but to save them…” (Luke 9:56b).
Beloved, that which
you are going through, and it seems like God had looked away; it is NOT TRUE!
He is with you and His intention is not to destroy or harm you, but to save
you! By saying she is the daughter of Abraham, Jesus was saying it is her right
to be healed and free from the torments of darkness as a child of God. So are
you! Beloved, Jesus could have healed her from afar, but He called her to
Himself first. In spite of her pain and situation, she obeyed His voice and came
to Him. Beloved, understand this: God doesn’t manifest His power because
someone has a need! His power is manifested when people have faith in His word
and obey! Meaning, your faith in Him and obedience to His word activates that
miracle you have been praying for! “Jesus
said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes”
(Mark 9:23). God has not abandoned you, ONLY look up past the pain and the
worry, in faith and obedience and your miracle awaits you, in Jesus Christ
name. God bless you!
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