The Touch of God, part 67

Warriors Arise: September 20, 2021

Mark 7:32-33 (NKJV) Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33 And He took him aside from the multitude,

I really like the idea of Jesus taking this man aside. There are times when people want to see a show and be entertained. There are times when distractions need to be removed so we can receive what God is about to give us. There are times when God wants to know if the person who needs the miracle wants the miracle. Sure the friends who have brought him have asked and want their friend to be healed. We have all been in a situation where we have "accepted" our lot in life; therefore, we stop seeking the possibility of a miracle. But I just do not see that backed up in Scripture. Therefore, I do not believe that is the stance a Christian is to embrace.

Paul writes over and over again to lay hold of, let us, stand and keep on standing, withstand, etc. He had no intention of accepting defeat just because he was having a bad day. Those who know Paul's history know he went through more than his share of trials and tribulation.

2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (NKJV) ...in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

Paul was one determined man. He would not be deterred. He could have remained dead or allow himself to die but he didn't. He was on a mission. He would fulfill everything do told him he would do. Those three days he was blind and waiting for Ananias to come and lay hands on him for his healing, God spoke to him. God told him what he would do.

This deaf man who had a speech impediment could have asked but those around him were probably too excited, they spoke for him. How many times were they impatient with waiting on the man to finish his sentence, his train of thought and they had finished it for him or allowed their mind to wander. There is something intense about Jesus taking this deaf man with a speech impediment aside. Can you hear this man crying out to God like David did?

Psalms 42 (NKJV)

As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my food day and night,

While they continually say to me,

“Where is your God?”

4 When I remember these things,

I pour out my soul within me.

For I used to go with the multitude;

I went with them to the house of God,

With the voice of joy and praise,

With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him

For the help of His countenance.

6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me;

Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,

And from the heights of Hermon,

From the Hill Mizar.

7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;

All Your waves and billows have gone over me.

8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,

And in the night His song shall be with me—

A prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God my Rock,

“Why have You forgotten me?

Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”

10 As with a breaking of my bones,

My enemies reproach me,

While they say to me all day long,

“Where is your God?”

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God;

For I shall yet praise Him,

The help of my countenance and my God.

How many times had this man heard this prayer and prayed it himself? And now, he stands before Jesus, the Son of God, many call Him a prophet others call Him teacher. Could this be the one who will answer the prayer I have prayed so many times? Have you been as vulnerable as David? Have you prayed similar prayers? God, said of David, "He is a man after my own heart" and yet, he prayed like this. He questioned God, asking why...asking when. God loved David for being real for being vulnerable. God loved David because He was real about how he felt. He would be dancing in the streets leading Israel to worship God and at times on the run for His life. He treated his relationship with God in the reality of what was happening regardless of he felt. He was not afraid to bare all before God. He was not afraid to be human. His humanness made him teachable.

When we will not go to the depths of how we feel, we are not being real. When we will not be honest with our disappointments and frustrations we fail to ask God to make a way for us to get out. Generally when we will not get to the depth of our true beliefs, the ones that are being questioned, we do not allow God the opportunity to reveal the truth, set the record straight, encourage us to overcome, and compel us to persevere.

Take some time today to allow God to take you aside and minister to you one on one. Let His gaze penetrate Your heart and His peace bring freedom to your thoughts.

Father, You know exactly what I need. I need time with You and You alone. I am thankful for my friends who hav brought me this far but right now, in this moment I need You. You are the light in my darkness. I need to see You to get out. You are the key to the shackles that have bound me. You are the bread I need to give me life. Come and minister to me body, soul and spirit. I position myself before You. I wait to hear Your words to freedom. I long for Your touch to restore my soul. I desire to be led by the spirit. I am willing to be taken aside to meet with You. Minister to me body, soul and spirit in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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