Daily Reading: John 5
Scripture Focus: Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me. (John 5.7)
Devotional Thought: Jesus encountered a paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. The people gathered around the pool in hopes to be the first person into the pool when an angel from heaven came and disturbed the waters. The first one in, received healing! The trouble for the paralyzed man was that his condition actually prevented him from obtaining the cure! Others who were mobile, were able to go in ahead of him. Isn’t that a terrible picture? He was so close to healing, yet unable to access it, so close to hope, yet powerless to see it fulfilled.
Compare this man to the paraplegic whose friends carried him, cut a hole in the roof and lowered him right in front of Jesus (Mark 2). This man had "no one." His family and friends would only go so far to help him. Sure, they got him to the water’s edge – probably carrying him there at great effort. But, for whatever reason they had to leave him there. They were either unable or unwilling to stay with him until healing came. “I have no one to help me…”
Wouldn’t it have been tragic for the man to have laid there the rest of his life? But he didn’t, for Jesus came by! And, Jesus spoke a word of hope, a word of healing. The man stood up and walked and his life was forever altered!
Many people are like the man that Jesus met that day, with no one to help them into the pool of God’s forgiveness. They come so far, only to be left powerless and helpless. Will you help them?
Prayer: Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit, so that I can see those around me who are near to the pool, be the hands of Jesus that help them into the pool, be the voice of Jesus that gives them the words of life. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 34.1-7
1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
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