Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional “Healing Touch” for Wednesday, 26 November 2014 - Scripture: Matthew 9

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional “Healing Touch” for Wednesday, 26 November 2014 - Scripture: Matthew 9: Just a Touch
18-19 As he finished saying this, a local official appeared, bowed politely, and said, “My daughter has just now died. If you come and touch her, she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, his disciples following along.
20-22 Just then a woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years slipped in from behind and lightly touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, “If I can just put a finger on his robe, I’ll get well.” Jesus turned—caught her at it. Then he reassured her: “Courage, daughter. You took a risk of faith, and now you’re well.” The woman was well from then on.
23-26 By now they had arrived at the house of the town official, and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and the neighbors bringing in casseroles. Jesus was abrupt: “Clear out! This girl isn’t dead. She’s sleeping.” They told him he didn’t know what he was talking about. But when Jesus had gotten rid of the crowd, he went in, took the girl’s hand, and pulled her to her feet—alive. The news was soon out, and traveled throughout the region.
[Jesus] said, “Take heart, . . . your faith has made you well.”(Matthew 9:22 (NRSV))
Several years ago I became ill and doctors told me they could treat my symptoms but that my condition would likely never go away. Dealing with my situation became the focus of my life as I searched for relief. Eventually, I became discouraged and turned to my Bible for solace. I began to look for biblical stories of illness and healing. One of the stories I read was of the woman who believed she could be healed if she could only touch Jesus’ garment. Her belief was so strong that it led her to pursue Jesus so she could touch his clothing. When she did, Jesus told her that her faith had healed her.
Using this story from Matthew as a model, I began to pray for my healing. As I pursued Jesus in prayer, I visualized myself touching the hem of his garment and my body being healed. I was not instantly healed; however, over time my attitude toward my situation changed. I stopped focusing on myself and started asking Jesus to use me as a vessel for his work.
Eventually my symptoms became more manageable, and today they are gone. Doctors say that someone with the health condition I had can experience spontaneous healing, but I will always believe that my healing came from the Lord.
The Author: Vicki Hines (Tennessee, USA)
Thought for the Day: What Bible stories have helped you through a difficult time?
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the Bible to guide us and inspire us. Amen.
Prayer focus: Doctors
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