IF I CAN TOUCH THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT (Mark. 5:28)

This statement was spoken by a woman who most certainly seemed a hopeless case. She had experienced much more pain and suffering more than we can imagine.

Instead of hearing the words, “in remission” from her doctors, for 12 years all she heard was, “I’m sorry, there is nothing more we can do for you.” But, this woman was just flat-out broke! She spent every penny she had just hoping beyond hope the next doctor would have the answer that might take away her pain, depression, and embarrassment.

But on just another ordinary day, this woman was about to experience a complete life-change experience simply because she would choose to believe the truth about God despite her circumstances. If I could just touch His robe—it was the one thought that pushed her to get up that morning despite her pain, go outside and face the crowds, look like a fool if need be as she pushed her way through, and risk being beaten, all for the sake of one hope – to touch the garment of Jesus.

This woman displayed amazing hope, she had nothing left but the hem of the robe of a man whom she had simply overheard was a healer. This is indeed a very touching experience. Many of us go through issues and we do not know where or who to turn to. Do we have faith like this woman? Is our faith so recklessly abandoned to Jesus that we would risk everything—our comfort, our reputation, maybe even our life – simply to touch His clothes? Do we truly believe God is bigger than what we can see? That He is so much greater than our circumstances?

What if we thought and acted like this woman more often? What if we all had faith this radical? What if we got up each morning and chose to break all the ‘norms’ just so that we might catch a glimpse of Jesus in our life? Would our lives change? YES our lives will definitely change.

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over” (Mark. 5:34, NLT).

One day, all of our suffering will truly be over – all of our doubt, fear, and anxiety will be laid to rest. But until that day, may we awake each morning desperate to do whatever it takes just to touch the hem of His robe.

This woman understood “true faith.” She rested in the assurance that “God is who He is!” Does that mean she wasn’t afraid? Does it mean she didn’t have reservations? Remember, she was not just dealing with an illness, but she was also living with the consequences of the diagnosis. She was not only sick, but she was “unclean.” Her very presence in “the midst of the crowd” was a huge risk. Had anyone recognized her she could have been immediately stoned to death. Yet she felt the risk was worth it, she believed she would receive healing if she could but touch the hem of His garment. She was a woman of courage. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of faith.” In fact, the only antidote to fear is faith. Courage is not something we find within ourselves. It is the result of faith and a gift of God.

As women let’s dare to believe God and take him by His word. We can only get past our fears if we dare to trust.


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