May 8 - Stretching Faith.

Matthew 12:13
“Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.”
 
This man’s right hand was withered. 
His hand was dry, and deprived of what it needed to function.
 
He did not even ask for Jesus to help him.
But Jesus saw His need.
 
The Pharisees watched carefully to see if Jesus would heal the man on the Sabbath, that they might accuse Him for being unlawful. They had an agenda.
 
Mark 3:4
“And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.”
 
Luke 6:10
“And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.”
 
The man obeyed what Jesus told him to do, in faith that something would happen.
He received the healing he needed, and the Pharisees that watched missed their opportunity to believe.
 
Luke 6:11
“And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.”
 
Sometimes when the Lord works a miracle in our lives, those who observe it will choose jealousy over joy. 
 
May this never stop us from stretching out our hands in faith that He has a greater purpose for our lives.
 
Throughout the Scriptures, the Lord had people stretch out their hands before He would do something.
 
Exodus 14:16
“But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”
 
Moses was told to lift up his rod and stretch out his hand.
When he did this in faith, the Lord made a way where there was no way before.
 
Whatever your need… 
Whatever your problem…
Stretch out your hand toward Him today.
 
Psalm 143:6
“I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 13-14   |    Romans 12