Daily Devotion, May 27, 2011

Luke 8:49-50
While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer." When Jesus heard this, he replied, "Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved."

We all experience fear in our lives. Some fears are healthy and justified to insure self-preservation, i.e., I fear the damage tornadoes cause, so I am going to take shelter when one is headed my way. Most, however, if we are honest enough to admit it, are irrational and imposed upon us either by ourselves or others - fear of failure, flying, spiders, heights - the list is endless!

In raising Jairus' daughter from death to life, Jesus demonstrates how living in fear is the opposite of living in faith. He tells the crowd to replace their fear with belief in His power to save, a foreshadowing of His own resurrection when death, and the fear it generates, would be forever conquered.

What fears are you harboring today that hinder you from living fully into your walk with the Lord? Can you hear Jesus pleading with you to let them go? Just as Peter succumbed to his fears when the Lord commanded he walk on water, you may suffer temporary setbacks as you pray to be freed of your stumbling blocks. Trust in the One who will be faithful to complete the good work that is you. Believe in Him and you, like Jairus' daughter, will be saved.

Readings:
Wisdom 16:15-17:1
Romans 14:13-23
Luke 8:40-56