Have you ever felt as if your situation is beyond hope? Even if Jesus were to intervene now, it would be too late. You feel desperate and confused. Let me share with you a story from the Word of God that touched my heart and hopefully it will touch yours as well.

There was a man named Jairus. His daughter was on the verge of death and so he found Jesus and begged Him to come to his house and heal her. Jesus, touched by this father’s cry, gets up and starts following the man towards his house. A crowd was gathered and so I’m sure they weren’t moving very fast but they were making progress. Then, suddenly, Jesus stopped and said “who touched me?” At this point in the story Jairus could have spoken up and said, “Excuse me Master, I was first in line. My daughter is gasping for breath and every moment matters. Please, please Jesus, deal with this situation later. My daughter is dying Lord, don’t you understand? You are her only hope and we have no time to stop!!” We do not, however, hear anything of Jairus raising his voice to contest. Therefore, Jesus stops and a woman falls before Him who had been bleeding for years. She had touched the hem of His garment and been healed. Jesus said “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be free from your affliction.”

While Jesus was still speaking those last words to the woman, a group that had been at Jairus’ house came and said, “Your daughter is dead.” Why bother the teacher any more.” I am sure at that point Jairus’ heart sank. His little girl was gone, and they might have made it to the house if this interruption had not taken place. His friends were telling him to give up hope and let Jesus go His way, but we hear nothing of Jairus blaming Jesus or telling Him He was too late.

Jesus turned to him and said “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.” Again, He could have said, “thanks Jesus, but my daughter just died- belief will do me no good at this point.” Instead, however, we see the man continuing to lead Jesus to his home.

Outside of his house a crowd was already gathered. They were weeping and wailing loudly. Jairus could have joined the crowd and mourned the loss of his daughter. He could have put on sack cloth and ashes and told the Master to go His way but again, we hear of none of that. Jesus then states that there was no need to cry because the girl was only sleeping. Jairus could have laughed in disbelief, just like the crowd was doing. He could have said, “ok Jesus, now you have gone too far. I see my daughters dead body. She is not breathng and has lost her coloring. She IS DEAD Jesus, and you missed the boat! He could have said this but he did not. Jesus went into the house, took one look at the little girl, and said “get up!” In an instant she arose and began to walk.

Jairus faced many obstacles to get to his miracle. He faced a huge interruption. In fact, someone else was recievieng the very thing he was asking for. He faced others telling him to give up- that it was too late. He also faced having to trust, in the face of the impossible. He saw his dead daughter, but he had to have the faith that Jesus could do the impossible and bring his daughter back to life. What faith this man had and what a mighty God we serve.

“Lord, in the face of my dire situation, even if all hope looks to be gone, may I trust you, just as Jairus did. May I be happy for the miracles of others, even when I see a delay in my own. May I not listen to the voice of the crowd telling me to give up praying and that all hope is gone. Even when my dreams die and my hopes are shattered, Lord, may I trust that you can bring life from death and turn the situation for my good and Your glory. Thank you for being a good and loving Father. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.”