There are many voices that will seek to discourage us from calling out to or following Jesus. Those who wish to have their lives transformed by Him must reject those voices and seek after Jesus with passion and conviction. Do not be discouraged by others, but seek Him as a priority in your life wholeheartedly and without reservation or embarrassment. He will transform your life.
Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
46Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” 50Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.
If Bartimaeus would have listened to those discouraging him from reaching out to the LORD, he would not have had his sight restored. Yeshua did not seek him until He heard Bartimaeus calling. In fact, even when Yeshua stopped to help him, Yeshua called for Bartimaeus to come to Him. Sometimes we may be called upon to do likewise when we call out for help to the LORD. He may call us to come to him, rather than stay how and where we are in sin. He may want us to show some sign of faith and trust to seek Him out. What if Bartimaeus would have been too afraid or offended to get up and go to Yeshua when called? What if he became indignant because Yeshua was calling him as a blind man to get up and come to Him instead of the other way around? He would not have been healed.
Seek to trust and pursue the LORD fully. Do not find excuses to wrestle with God as if He must meet you on your own terms. Seek Him on whatever terms He offers.
I invite you to pray with me:
Father, thank You that you are healer and helper. Thank You that You love us and have compassion on us. Help Your people to have strong faith in You and to seek You boldly, despite any discouragement from others. Help us to meet You where You are instead of insisting You meet us where we are. Let us be humble and not prideful in seeking You out, surrendering all to You. Amen.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
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