A 12TH YEAR MIRACLE MARK 5:22-43
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
A. DISGUISED
The thirteen-year-old, angry with her mother, said, “You obviously don’t love me!” The mom had told her daughter that she could not attend the middle-school party. The child had begged to attend; everyone was going to be there, and all the other parents had given their consent. But the mom had other concerns. She was not confident in the supervision of the party. She also knew that her family would pay a price for a few days if her daughter did not get a good night’s sleep before they left the next day for a family vacation. The mother made her decision based on what was best for the girl and for the family. But the daughter could only see that she was not getting what she wanted.
This gives us a glimpse into the correlation between faith and healing. There are times when in faith we bring our needs to God and our prayers are not answered in the way we would like. What happened? Did we lack faith or did God have a bigger picture and a different perspective when it came to our request? When God answers, “No” or “Not now,” it is not that we lack faith or that he does not love us. Rather, God has a better plan for his glory.
I will not take that bitter thrust
Which rent my heart today
As coming from an earthly soul—
Though it was meant that way.
But I will look beyond the tool,
Because my life is planned;
I take the cup My Father gives—
I take it from His hand.
He knows, and even thus allows,
These little things that irk.
I trust His wisdom and His love,
Let patience have her work.
Though human means have brought the sting,
I firmly take this stand:
My loving Father holds the cup,
I take it from His hand.
Now those who watch may wonder why
These things do not disturb.
I look right past the instrument
And see my Lord superb.
The trials which would lay me low
Must pass through His command;
He holds the outstretched cup to me
I take it from His hand.
DESPERATION
Nor does the degree of our faith influence God’s healing power. If we are not healed, the reason is not that our faith was insufficient but that God has sovereignly decided that healing is not best (Rom. 8:28) for us at this time. Faith allows us to participate spiritually in the healing process, but it does not control God. David Garland says faith does two things: it “opens the door to the power of God,” for it surrenders the situation to God at work, and it “shows persistence in overcoming any obstacles,” for it responds to serious situations with bold action in responding to Christ’s presence.7