09.25.08

Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you." - Matthew 9:2.

…behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live." So Jesus arose and followed him…. And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. …Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. …He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. - Matthew 9:18-25.

… two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." And their eyes were opened. - Matthew 9:27-30.

If you are searching for employment you know a few of the basic things that you will need to do. You will search for employment opportunities by networking with friends, and associates. You will search the classified job listings, online job listings, call or go in person to the offices of companies that employ people with similar skills to your job skills. You will submit resumes or complete applications as needed to apply for possible employment opportunities. You will do all that you can to find and gain the employment that you need.

If you really want a job you will not just sit at home hoping that someone will call you and offer you a job. If your marriage is falling apart, and you want to save it, you will not keep on doing the same things that have led to the problems. If you are in a financial crisis, and you are drowning in debt you will attempt to reduce your spending and increase your income.

Something similar is seen with those who receive miracles in Matthew chapter nine. Those receiving the miracles did not wait for Jesus to come to them. The friends of the paralyzed man brought him to Jesus. The woman with the bleeding problem appears to have crawled through the crowd so that she could touch the hem of the garment Jesus was wearing. The ruler went to where Jesus was to ask Him to come and heal his daughter. The two blind men followed Jesus around until He healed them.

How does this apply to us when we need God to move in our lives? It means that we need to be where God is at for a greater likelihood of receiving a miracle. Do you need a relationship to be healed? Do you need a job? Do you need God to help with your financial crisis? Do you need healing? Do you need hope? Do you need help to overcome an addiction? If so, you need to be seeking God. It could be that God will intervene in your life in a supernatural way even if you are not faithfully in church, even if you are not reading your Bible, even if you are not praying, and even if you are not serving Him. However, that possibility of God's intervention will be much less than if you are actively seeking God in every way that you can. "God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God (Psalm 53:2)."