Friday Open Heavens Devotional - Faith Recovers Losses

MEMORISE: As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. Mark 5:36.

READ: Mark 5:23-24 & 35-43.
23.And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24.And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. 35.While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36.As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37.And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 38.And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39.And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40.And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41.And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42.And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43.And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

MESSAGE
Faith in Jesus Christ is so powerful and relevant that if there is any area where every believer in Christ needs to grow, it is in the area of faith. Faith is believing that God is who He says He is. Faith is also believing that God can do everything He says He will do. Faith is giving God   the benefit of the doubt not to go below His promise in the face of contrary circumstances. Are you in any form of bondage? If only you can believe in the power of Jesus to set you free, you will be free. Also, if you can believe that you can recover any of your missing valuables that money cannot buy, you will have it. This was demonstrated in the case of Jairus, whose only daughter died. It seemed his world had crashed. The most important person to him was gone. For most people, that loss would have been permanent or irrecoverable. Sometimes, when something or someone goes missing, a reward is offered to the one who helps in finding the missing person or item. The size of the reward would depend on the value the owner places on the missing item or person. In the case of a kidnapping, a large amount of money would be demanded as a ransom by the captors before their victim can be set free. All these are cases of temporary loss; in the event of a permanent loss such as the death of a loved one, what ransom can be paid?
In today's Bible reading, Jairus' daughter was in a critical condition, and he went to Jesus, asking Him to come and pray for her. On the way back home with Jesus, somebody came from his house to tell him that it was too late as the child had given up the ghost. When Jesus heard the message, He simply told Jairus, "Don't be afraid; only believe." Why did Jesus say this? He knew the bad news was capable of affecting the faith of Jairus, causing him to doubt. Jairus held on to the Restorer, and his child lived. If you have faith in Jesus, no loss is permanent. If you lost a child, He can restore that child to you or give you another child. If you lost a job, you can recover it or be given something better; if only you believe Jesus can do it.
What is that situation of loss you have experienced? Invite the Restorer, Jesus Christ, to step into it. Hold on to Him in faith until your desire is met.

PRAYER POINT: Father, increase my faith and that of Your people in my local assembly, so that we can receive the good things we are holding onto You for.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOB 12:15 AND 2 THESSALONIANS 1:1-2:12.