(Mar 5:36 AMP) Overhearing but ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear; only keep on believing.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life” by looking at yet another example of how important our words are. In Mark 5 we catch up with Jesus in the middle of a long and busy day. The day started out in Mark 4 with Jesus teaching parables. Jesus went on to calm a storm (with His words), to cast a legion of demons out a man (with His words), and we pick Him up as He is getting off of a boat at the cost of Galilee. A great crowd had already assembled. Suddenly a man emerged from the crowd. This was not just any man; he was a man of prominence and stature in the community. His name was Jairus and he was a ruler of the synagogue. But Jairus was not coming as a Jewish emissary; no, he was coming for help. Jairus fell at Jesus’ feet and said, “My daughter is about to die! Please come and touch her, so she will get well and live.” Take notice of what Jairus did. Jairus identified his problem, but he then went on to speak his desired outcome – by faith. He did not just say, “Oh Jesus! My daughter is dying! I don’t know what to do! Do something, do something!” No, Jairus was specific in his request. He declared what he was believing God to happen and he did it by faith. This faith caused Jesus to act. Remember, fear moves satan, faith moves God. Jairus’ faith moved Jesus to want to bring to pass his words (or what could be considered a type of prayer). So Jesus went with him to his house and the disciples and the crowd followed.
While Jesus, Jairus, the disciples, and the crowd were all walking to Jairus’ house there was a woman who had a serious bleeding disorder that also operated in faith and approached Jesus (in faith) for her healing. Jesus stopped to deal with this woman and she went on to give her testimony to Jesus. While Jesus was wrapping up his conversation with the woman some men came from Jairus’ house and said to him, “Your daughter has died! Why bother the teacher anymore?” Wow! Picture that for a moment. Think about the things that must have rushed through Jairus’ mind. As believers we must remember that the devil will attempt to turn up the heat on us in hopes that we give up on our faith and change our confession (words) when the pressure is on. Jairus had spoken words of faith, Jesus was already enroute to his house, things were looking good, but the circumstances changed in the space between the prayer and the performance. What do you do when the circumstances get worse before they get better? What do you do when the devil stirs up confusion in the space between your confession and the completion of it? What do you do when the heat is turned up? Answer: You remain in faith and you don’t allow what you see to change what you say! All was not lost; Jesus was still on the scene! All things are possible with God. For the sake of time let me fast-forward and tell you that Jairus kept his mouth shut and Jesus made it to the house, touched the little girl, spoke words of life, and raised her from the dead. Guess what? Jesus could have done it without touching the girl, but if you go back to Jairus’ request (at the seashore) you will see that Jesus did exactly what Jairus requested of Him.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. The devil will turn up the pressure on you while you are waiting on God.
2. Never allow what you see to cause you to change what you said (or prayed).
3. Fear cancels out faith, just like faith cancels out fear, so if you are not in a position where you can speak faith, then simply keep your mouth shut!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this teaching. When I approach You in prayer, I pray prayers of faith. I come to You with words that are birthed from a believing heart. I resist fear, doubt, and unbelief and I fully expect to receive everything I pray for. When I leave my prayer session I enter the day with a disposition of faith. I speak words of faith and not fear all day long. If I am ever in a position where I am in fear and I cannot speak faith, I will simply keep my mouth shut. I refuse to allow words of fear to cancel out my words of faith! I believe, I trust, I operate in faith, and my words show it! I am a believer and not a doubter. I am the just and the just live by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
