Help

We have been talking about the faithfulness of God. It’s good that we have at the forefront of our minds as the year starts a clear and steadfast conviction deep in our hearts that God is faithful and He is for us. I also think it’s important at the start of the year for me to remind you that God knows exactly where you are.

You may be wondering what I mean by that but I have two examples that come to mind. This week we will be talking about the man who had suffered so long everyone had given up on him. A man who had been tormented for years that everyone looked at him and it appeared as though there was no hope for his situation. The bible tells us that people tried to help this man but they could not help him. They tied him up to stop him from cutting himself and hurting himself and he would only break through the ties. He situation was so bad that he no longer lived with relatives or friends or around people but he lived in the graveyard among the dead. 

On the surface, it may have appeared that this man was beyond help. That he was beyond hope. He was as good as dead. But, on the other side of the country was a Man named Jesus. Jesus didn’t have to go to see this man, yet He made it His mission to go to him. The man couldn’t come to Jesus, so Jesus went to him. The devil even sent a storm to stop Jesus, but Jesus was determined that He was going to the other side and He had one purpose in mind, to set the man free from bondage. Mark 4:35-41 and Mark 5:1-20 have the full story, here’s an except below:

“When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.” Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”

And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.

There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.” So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.”

Mark 5:6-13

There are a few fascinating things from the story as follows:

1. The man was completely healed and was in his right mind, sane and fully clothed (verse 15);
2. The people of that region asked Jesus to leave (verse 17), which shows us that not everyone will celebrate what Jesus is doing for you, some people may even be offended by it; and
3. The man who had been demon possessed begged to go with Jesus on His boat with the disciples but Jesus said no (verses 18-19). Isn’t that crazy? I think this is the only person Jesus didn’t allow to follow Him. You’d think Jesus would take him with Him but instead He left him so his life could be a testimony of God’s goodness and mercy to all those who would see him. Your life tells a story, never doubt the power of what God is preaching through your life. 

What I want us to focus on though, is how this man could not help himself but Jesus could help him. He may have been in the graveyards but Jesus knew exactly where to find him. Did you know that Jesus cares so much for you that He knows where to find you when you are in trouble? It is not recorded that this man was praying day and night for help but even when he couldn’t pray Jesus was able to find him and rescue him. How much more for us when we are in our right minds and we can pray and we call on His Name is He then able to rescue us?

Whatever you are going through whatever season you find yourself in whether now or later on in the year, Jesus knows where to find you. He is more willing to help you than you are willing to be helped. He is ready and available to set you free from whatever it is that keeps you hanging in dead places. In places that are not fruitful or adding value to your life. In thought patterns that are unhealthy or unhelpful to your situation. He knows how to find you. But when He finds you, are you willing to let Him help you? 

There are some things that doctors, friends or counsellors cannot fix. I don’t think there was any amount of counselling that could have saved the demon possessed man. It was a job for Jesus. Are you able to recognise the places where you need God? Where you have done all you know to do but it appears you are still in the same cycle going nowhere. Could it be that Jesus is reaching out to you today to let Him into those places so He can help you? All we need to do is to be honest and say, “Help me, Jesus.” Jesus is our present help in times of trouble. He is faithful in every season and everyone who calls on His Name shall be saved (delivered, rescued, healed, restored), Romans 10:13. When you call on Jesus, you best believe that help is on the way!

Love and blessings

Melissa Tsingano.