Numbers 19-20; PS 28; Mark 5

"Why have you brought up the assembly of the Lord into the wilderness, that we and our animals should die here? Numbers 20:4

"For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well," Mark 5:28

I have chosen to highlight two contrasting statements of belief in our readings today. Both the children of Israel and woman were in need of a miracle, but how they come to the Lord is very different. The people in the desert whining and complaining, and the woman in confidence, and tremendous faith. When you look at a glass, that is half empty, is it half empty, or is it half full? The woman knew that her condition and circumstance can be changed by the power that comes from Jesus. It was a bold prayer that would run the risk of her feeling embarrassed and singled out. This is what Jesus says about her faith in verse 34. "And He said to her, "daughter, your faith has made you well, Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." After 12 years of affliction and seeing no promise of a miracle she believed in the power of Jesus Christ. In contrast the Children of Israel had wintessed and been on the receiving end of many miracles yet still lacked belief. Sometimes we are liked spoiled little children that get all upset if we don't get what we want and when we want it. God is into growing our faith and not what we beleive is a current felt need. So today reach out to His hem and believe that God as the Power to change your circumstance or meet whatever need you have. The bible says I look up to the mountains where does my help come from. It doesn't say where my problems come from. What still blows my mind is even in the whining and lack of faith God does still take care of the children of Israel. God has humbled me so many times when I find myself complaining about a situation in my life, but I would much rather take a lesson from our passage in Mark and stop whining and start believing.

A repenting whiner, and someone is who believing for you today!
Joe

Next Reading: Numbers 21-23; Mark 6,7