And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

Here was a woman who believed with all her heart that if she could just touch the hem of His garment, that she would be healed. Jesus’ response indicates that her faith was very instrumental in receiving her healing: “Daughter, your faith has healed you.” Now there’s no question that God is the one who heals, but this woman’s faith is part of what activated the healing power of God. It’s fair to say that if the woman had held back, then it’s possible, if not probable that she would not have been healed.

She was going to do whatever it took to get to Jesus. God is predisposed to want to heal people; that’s His nature. The fact that not everyone gets healed is one of those mysteries that won’t be solved until we get to heaven. But it is in the seeking for healing and asking for answers that we draw closer to God and allow for Him to work His miracle work in us, whatever that ultimately means. Sometimes God’s doing something much larger than just the meeting of our immediate need. Sometimes there is delay, because God wants us to depend on Him and not lean so much on the answer to our prayers.

There’s something very important to be learned from this woman’s perseverance and tenacity. James states that ‘you do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.’ We live in a hedonistic culture that has made pleasure their god.

The true and living God may sometimes withhold answering some prayers because to do so would thrust people into greater idolatry. For some people if God gave them what they really wanted materially, it would ruin them. We’ve all heard too often of the multitude of lottery winners whose lives fall apart because the money ruined them. I am inspired by this woman who suffered for many years as she made her way to Jesus. I don’t want to hold back from coming to Jesus and asking Him for miracles. I am moved to want to grow in my faith so that I will pray with greater confidence and with an understanding that I am in concert with His will.

We serve a big God, and I want to believe that he will do big things in me and through me to extend His Kingdom and bless many people. But I realize that I must be surrendered to His will and allow Him to work His character and integrity in my life so that I will become not only one who trusts in God, but also become someone who God can trust.

Father God, you are always in the business of restoring, healing and bringing salvation. Lord Jesus help me to come to you and ask for big things so that you can use me to touch many lives. Change me by Your Word and by Your Spirit and help me to become the servant-leader You want me to be. Help me to believe with confidence as I pray for your people to be healed and restored. Help me to grow in asking you for the things that I need in my life. Help me to ask in faith for the incredible possibilities that are available to see Your Kingdom extended and for many people to come to know You as their Lord and Savior.