But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You,]and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” -Luke 8:42-48
Twelve years. For twelve years the poor woman had been bleeding. Did she sometimes come close to bleeding out and dying during those twelve years? She sought out help from doctor after doctor. No one could help her. Still she kept on bleeding. For twelve years she must have prayed daily for God to help her, but no answer to her prayer ever came. Twelve years, but no answer from God.
Then Jesus came. She heard that Jesus would be passing through her area. She had heard of him, of his mercy, of his teachings, of his healing miracles. She hoped beyond hope that maybe, just maybe, Jesus could help her. But how would she even approach him through the crushing crowd? Even worse, her bleeding made her ceremonially unclean. She would defile Jesus if she touched him. But a spark of faith and a rush of hope spurred her on. If she touched just the fringe of his cloak, perhaps he wouldn’t even notice, and she would be healed. And that’s exactly what happened. Jesus did know that she had touch him, for he perceived that power had gone out of him. Falling at his feet, the woman confessed what she had done and that she had been healed. “Daughter be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in Peace.”
You have been praying for God’s help in the present crisis for a few days, for a few months. Will you remember this dear woman who suffered and prayed for twelve years? God hears, and God will answer in his own way, in his own time.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened”. -Matthew 7:7-8
Heavenly Father give us patience in our prayers. Help us to wait quietly with faith and hope for your answer. And then, when our prayers are answered, let us fall down at your feet in worship, praising you for the great things you have done. Amen.
-Pastor Anderson