Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Mark 5:35 Some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"
WHY BOTHER?
Sometimes God seems to take His time. We pray, "LORD, You must do something now before it's too late. Then, when things don't seem to get better, we let THEM get to us! THEM is Satan and those who despise God's Word. "Things haven't changed," they tell you. "You're still sick. You're still caught in the same dead end job. You're still as lonely as ever. What has the LORD done to help you? What can He do? It's hopeless."
For Jairus, things not only didn't get better, they became suddenly worse. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the Teacher any longer." It's too late, Jairus. There's nothing that can be done anymore.
But when tragedy strikes Jesus calls us to stuff our ears with cotton, disregard the so-called facts, and see by faith. He says don't limit your possibilities to the visible. "Do not be afraid," He says, "only believe!"
The house of a family in the Bahamas was consumed in flames. The father grabbed his wife and several children and raced down the stairs for the door. But in the confusion one of the boys became terrified and headed back upstairs. From outside the father could see the child in the window. "Jump" his father said. "But Daddy I can't see you!" came the boy's frightened reply. "I know," called the father, "but I can see you!"
The smoke of despair may choke and blind us -- tell us it's too late -- that nothing can be done for us now. THEY may tell us "why bother?" But Jesus is there with two strong arms and two caring hands ready to catch us every time we fall. Can you doubt it? Aren't his the same two arms that were stretched out for you on a cross? Aren't those the same two hands pierced because of your sins? Isn't He the One Who suffered far worse than you ever will -- the agony and horror of hell for you and me? He says. "Trust Me! There's nothing happening that I can't and won't handle."
