The Touch of God, part 73

Warriors Arise: September 25, 2021

Mark 7:32-35 (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, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.

Jesus touched this man's ears, spat and then touch his tongue, but the man remained deaf with a speech impediment. Jesus looked up to heaven and sighed. Still, the man remained deaf with a speech impediment. Jesus didn't speak to God, he spoke to the man, "Ephphatha." Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.

Two things to note, Jesus spoke to the deaf man who had the speech impediment. He looked to heaven and I believe He was strengthened when He looked up. Sometimes it is getting our eyes off of the problem right in front of us. How many of you have been in the thick of trying to make something work; you tried this, then that, and anything coming to mind; but you needed to step away from it. You needed to allow the peace of God to return and then the answer pops into your head.

As a teenager, I can't tell you how many times I misplaced my car keys. I would dash in from one job and be getting ready to go play softball or head to another job only to figure out, when I was ready to run out the door, I didn't know where I had placed my keys. I would get livid! I was going to be late. My mom would say she was going to pray that I would find my keys then she instructed, "Veridee, go back to your room, sit on your bed, and close your eyes. Ask God to show you where you put your keys."

To this day, I do that very thing! Why? Because it works. I had to get my eyes off of the frustration of the problem, the instantaneous result I wanted and position myself in the presence of the peace of God. In His presence, I can think clearly and respond accordingly. Without a doubt, I would give a big sigh and settle myself to let the Spirit of God lead me. God has always been faithful!

Jesus took His eyes off of the deaf man with a speech impediment, looked to God and regrouped. Then He spoke. He spoke directly to the man, directly to the problem. He spoke one word, "Ephphatha." He didn't yell it, what good would that do, the man was deaf. It was as if He spoke in the same manner, God did when He spoke our world into existence. He knew Who He was, God's own Son and He spoke as His Father had. When He spoke, a creative miracle happened. Ephphatha is a common word meaning be opened. Jesus commanded and a creative miracle happened for this man. Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.

Father, I ask to be looking to You, listening for Your lead, and to follow exactly what You say to do. So many people need a touch from You, they need direction; therefore they need a word from You. There are times when we operate in Your authority, as Your ambassador, as Your child and speak on Your behalf. We are to release Your kingdom here which means we are going to have to speak Your Word. We are going to have to say what You want said. We are going to release Your kingdom here through speaking from the authority as a Christ follower and Your child. You are King and nothing even comes close. I ask for You to direct me in ministry. Guide me to know when I reach out and touch someone with Your power and when I speak, to command Your will to be done. I need You to direct me in releasing Your power in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.