Blessed Lord, take the hand of this precious reader in all that they may face today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Here is our text for today: 10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." 13 When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day." 15 But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" 17 When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing. 18
Worship is about God and if we choose to participate in it and put our attention, our heart, soul, mind, and yes our might, God will be glorified and we will be blessed. Such was the case of this woman who for 18 years had not been able to stand up straight. It was an embarrassing situation for her and one many of us might have used as an excuse to stay home on worship day. She did not. And what a great choice, for on that particular worship day, her place of worship was visited by Jesus. (Clue for us: Jesus shows up every Sunday!) Jesus calls her to His side and heals her. The touch of Jesus made her straighten up and she was able to praise Him and worship God! Even the detractor who tried to ruin this experience for the woman, her friends, and co-worshipers, was not able.
What healing do you need for your life? Is it spiritual, physical, emotional, or mental? Do you use that as an excuse to stay away from worship? If you do, you might just be missing out on a presence or touch by Jesus that might just bring you healing.
PRAYER: Loving God, I try to hide from You and I have some really good excuses. No more, Lord. Let me seek You and worship You anywhere and always, but let me be among the first to enter Your house with praises. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
