Stretch Out Your Hand....

Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand".....(Matt 12:13)

Jesus came upon a man with a withered hand. Imagine a man whose hand was paralyzed with no ability to move. It had no life in it. Yet, Jesus, the great healer comes upon this man on the Sabbath and has compassion for him. 

However, Jesus doesn't just come upon this man and instantly heal his paralyzed limb, no, if that's all we see as we read we're missing a great point of application. 

Before Jesus heals this man, He asks him, "stretch out your hand." 

To you and I this seems like a simple request, but to this man, I'm sure it seemed like a great impossibility. His hand is withered. He has been unable to move it for who knows how many years. It would be as if you were mute and Jesus came up to you and said, "say a few words to me." Yet, this man does not doubt. The scripture tells us that he stretches out his hand it is restored completely. Had this man not exercised great faith in believing that Jesus would heal him by stretching out his hand would he have experienced the healing power of Jesus?

Jesus wants to do the same for you and me. He wants to bring healing into our lives, but we must not forget that Jesus often times wants us to exercise the faith that shows we believe that He can do that which is impossible a part from His power. 

I don't know what it is for you. I'm not sure what you're praying for in your life. Many people pray to be more patient or for more self-control. Yet, when Jesus offers them the opportunity to put their faith into practice when someone annoys them and test their patience they back down and give into their annoyance. Then, turn around and ask the Lord to just please "give me more patience."

No, this is wrong thinking that we must do away with if we're truly going to grow as Christians. Growth comes about when we put our faith into practice. as we actively apply scriptural truth to our lives. If Christ lives inside of you the power of the Holy Spirit dwells with in you. God has given you all the patience, grace and self-control that you need in Christ. It is available for you in Christ in the moment of temptation when you are tempted lack grace or patience. In order to overcome, we must CLAIM patience, grace and self-control IN THE MOMENT as OURS in Christ. Then, put it into practice. If we do, we will grow. 

Praying that God will give us more patience, grace or self-control is like beating a dead horse. Only one of you is doing the work and quite honestly, its meaningless work. When I choose to exercise the faith that I have received through Jesus Christ and claim that for my life, then I am working together with the Lord for my own personal healing. 

Stop asking God to "heal your hand." Stretch our your hand and claim the power over sin in your life available for you in Jesus Christ.