NEVER GIVE IN TO EXPECTATION

[Jesus] said: "Daughter, you have been cured by your faith. Go forth in peace. "Luke 8:48

When my friend got cancer diagnosis, she was advised by the doctor to keep her affairs in order. She called me out, sobbing, worried about her husband and kids. I expressed her urgent call for prayer with our mutual friends.

We were happy that a second doctor encouraged her never to give up hope and confirmed his The persevering confidence of my friend reminds me of the desperate woman in Luke 8. Weary of twelve years of persistent suffering, disappointment and isolation, she approached Jesus from behind and stretched out her hand toward the hem of His robe. Her act of faith preceded her eventual healing: persistently hoping. Believing that Christ could do what other men could not do. No matter how unlikely it could be the situation.

We may experience pain that feels constant, hopeless-looking circumstances, or painful awaiting’s. We can experience moments when the odds are stacked high and wide against us. While we continue to trust God, we may not achieve the healing we hope for. But even then, Jesus invites us to try to reach out to Him, to trust Him and never to give up hope and to believe that He will always, always worthy of confidence, and always within control.

How did you need to trust in Jesus recently, despite the challenges that you faced? What hope have you come across in Him?

Jesus, thank You for reminding us that we are never lost or out of control of you. You can do that which nobody else can do.

Luke provides us the most detailed account of the women who traveled with Jesus and His twelve apostles and helped them financially,(8:1–3). He also mentions the regeneration of a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years (v. 43–48), and a twelve-year - old girl's resurrection (v. 40–56). He remembers a shocking remark Jesus made about His mother, Mary, in the middle of the action (v. 19–21).

Luke lets us determine for ourselves whether the presence of the number twelve in Christ's relationship with these people is a pure coincidence or a silent whisper of divine meaning (vv. 42–43). But looking back, twelve tribes and twelve apostles were chosen to bear witness to a son of hope that had been promised to Eve (Genesis 3:15). Looking ahead, Revelation sees in the Lamb’s story a twelvefold testimony to the world's complete healing (22:1–2).