Devotions
Rev Gav
Crushed
Luke 8.49-50
While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”
But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.”
Reflect
Jesus was on his way to Jairus’ house to heal his daughter, when a messenger arrived to say that the girl had died, it was too late, and nothing could be done for her. Jairus would have been crushed. Losing a child is one of the most painful things that can ever happen to a parent and is utterly devastating. The news would have echoed around Jairus’ head, he would have found it hard to breathe, and he probably needed help to remain standing. His life had been torn apart, and worse, he was not with her when she died. He was not there to hold her hand, stroke her hair, and whisper beautiful things in her ear as she passed away.
But Jesus, hearing the message, turned to Jairus and said, “Do not be afraid. Trust in me.” In this situation, there was nothing Jairus could do. He was not even at home to comfort his wife, however, he still had a choice — to be afraid or to be bold; to doubt or to trust. It was not the amount of faith that Jairus had that mattered, the importance was in whom that faith was placed — Jesus.
There will most likely be a times in our lives when we will feel ‘the pain of Jairus’. Perhaps you have already been there, or maybe you are going through it right now — pain so acute that it feels unbearable. Hear the words Jesus says to you. “Do not be afraid. Trust in me.” Jesus stands with you in your pain and suffering and God can give you a peace and security despite your circumstances.
Today, whether you have felt ‘the pain of Jairus’ in the past, are feeling it now, or are at peace, place your trust in God’s hands. Hear the words of Jesus to you today, “Do not be afraid. Trust in me.”
Pray
Holy God
You never told us that
living would be easy,
or that we would be
spared pain and anguish.
Give me your strength that
when I go through difficult times,
I may be confident,
courageous and bold.
I choose to believe
and trust in you.
This day and forever.
and then