Mark 5:35-43

Be Still: Lord, I thank you for your presence. I make space for all you want to do in this moment. Amen

Read: Mark 5:35-43

‘While Jesus was still speaking’ (v 35)  ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’ (v 36) 

Encounter: When I was a child, as Sunday church finished, my mum would say, ‘Alright we’re going soon.’  This was always far from the truth – soon meant 40 minutes. She was in the pastoral care team, and would be checking in, addressing needs, and encouraging others. Despite the Lord being pleased, Kookie was not. There was no urgency to address my need for lunch!

Jairus had a need and had been patient as Jesus stopped for the sick woman. Jesus had healed her, spoken to her, and yet in verse 35 is ‘still speaking’. I can imagine Jairus panicked, frustrated, even a little hopeful given what he had witnessed - but probably thinking Jesus can we get a move on?

Have you ever felt that way? Waiting on the Lord while it seems he’s showing up for everyone else but not for you? You pray, fast, serve - you see his power at work around you, but there's no progress towards the things you care deeply about: a child far from faith, a friendship that needs restoring, a need for direction. You know the Lord but can’t help feeling disappointed because, for someone who says he loves you, there seems to be no sense of urgency. 

Jesus tells Jairus ‘Do not be afraid, just believe’. I think Jesus is instructing Jairus to believe in his timing, that his ways are higher, and to believe not only for good outcomes, but in a good God, whatever the outcomes.

My prayer is that the Holy Spirit would give us the strength to 'just believe'

Apply:

• Are there areas in your life where waiting is challenging? What are the Bible truths about the Lord’s character that you can hold on to?

• Are there areas in your life where waiting led to disappointment? Take a moment to bring them honestly to Jesus.

Devote: Lord would you give me a fresh revelation of your goodness, despite the things that I’ve yet to see, and even the things I hope for that I will not see.