Remaining Hopeful

Read Mark 5:21-34

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all she had; and she was no better, but grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his clock, for she said, "If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well." Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, 'Who touched me?' " He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." Mark 24-34 (NRSV)

Wardes is from Jakarta, Indonesia. Several years ago, Wardes and his wife were trying to have a second child. When she experienced three miscarriages in three years, they did not understand. They were disappointed and confused. But even though their hearts were sad, they found strength, and continued to hope in the unlimited power of the Lord Jesus.

Every morning, they prayed and had quiet time to renew their strength. They were particularly encouraged by the story of the woman in today's scripture reading. She remained hopeful that she would be made well, even after 12 years. Her story and her faith encouraged Wardes wife and himself to continue believing that God would answer their prayers.

One day, their church held a revival meeting. During an altar call, people who had experienced miscarriage were prayed for. A few months later, Wardes' wife became pregnant again. Although she experienced bleeding and needed to go on bedrest during her pregnancy, their second child was born healthy. Like the woman who was healed after 12 years, they continued to hope in the Lord, and what they experienced was a blessing.

Prayer: Faithful God, we praise you. Thank you for teaching us always to hope and believe in you, in Jesus' name. Amen.