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If Only

by Elizabeth Marks
6/02/2007 / Devotionals

For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Mark 5:28 NKJV

How many times have you said "If only"? If only ______(fill in the blank) I would be satisfied. If only I were married, I'd be happy. If only I got that job, I'd be significant. If only I had a baby, I'd have someone to love me.

In most cases, when we use the "if only" statements in our thoughts we are playing unhealthy games. The "if only" sentences above are just a few that show how misplaced focus can lead us down the wrong path. But this devotion isn't about the wrong path. It's about choosing the right path.

Our example comes from Mark 5:25-34 today. There was a woman with a "fountain of blood" flowing from her body for twelve years. This poor woman had suffered many things from the hands of those who claimed to be doctors. Although none of their treatments had helped her, she grew worse. I don't know about you, but I can hardly stand a week of flowing blood. I don't know how this poor woman dealt with twelve years of it!

One day she heard about Jesus. The Bible doesn't tell us what she heard, but we can safely assume it might have been about how Jesus healed people. Whatever she heard, it was enough to compel her to check it out for herself. She came up behind Jesus in the crowd and touched His garment. Her thought was "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."

Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. Isn't that wonderful? Finally after twelve years of trying everything else, she is healed! Everything other method was counterfeit. Only one method could heal her condition. What she faced is what we face. All of us have the issue of sin in our life, which can only be healed by coming to Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).

Recorded in verse 34 is my favorite part: "And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction."" Her act of chasing after Jesus, to catch up to Him in the crowd, and to simply touch the hem of His robe was deliberate and active faith. Jesus' healing power was released because of her faith.

Her "If only" was to touch His clothes to be made well. Hers was a healthy "if only" because she focused on the One who could heal her. She had enough faith to try again, after so many failures. Her faith did not give up. Her faith compelled her onward to Jesus our great Physician. Her faith, according to Jesus, made her well.

What kind of "If only" statements are you thinking about? May your "if only" be the kind which leads you to Christ.
Lord thank you for your patience with us as we try so many things before we finally come to you. Thank you for your healing touch. May our faith be like this woman that we may be healed. In Jesus' name Amen.

Copyright Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions, has a heart for encouraging believers with God's Word. Please visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com for more devotions, bible studies, book reviews and more!

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