~~~ Hosea 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22 ~~~ Psalm 145 ~~~ Matthew 9: 18-26 ~~~
"...Thus says the LORD:
I will allure her;
I will lead her into the desert
and speak to her heart."
I will allure her;
I will lead her into the desert
and speak to her heart."
Today we are given Matthew's brief version of the Sunday Gospel we had earlier
this month from Mark of the hemorrhagic woman.
...A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, "If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured."
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
"Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you."
And from that hour the woman was cured.
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, "If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured."
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
"Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you."
And from that hour the woman was cured.
This woman was in what most would consider the desert of her life.
The desert is often used as an analogy to describe a time spent away
from ones normal life.
The time in the desert can be confusing; one can feel hopeless even lost.
The heat the sun the sand the parched ground come together as
the picture of hopelessness.
God did allure this woman's heart to seek out Jesus even though
she was 'in the desert'.
God gave her the strength she needed to find Jesus.
If this woman had not been suffering with this affliction
we do not know if she would have sought out Jesus.
Our pastor recently said God sometimes leads us into the desert so we can
find him there. When you are in the desert God may be the only one
who can minister to your heart and lead you to the pool of cool water.
The desert appears to be lifeless to the casual observer, but if you look closely
The desert appears to be lifeless to the casual observer, but if you look closely
you will see that even the desert is filled with life.
Life in the desert is not easy to detect as it
camouflage's well with the sandy background.
At some point in our life we each encounter the desert.
Always remember that God is with you especially in desert times.
Even when you cannot find him; he is there.
It does take courage to survive in the desert.
Let your faith lead you to the one who speaks to your heart.
He knows the way through the sand pits of the desert.
Follow the trail of his tassel as it traces in the sand.
He knows the way!
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