The Desperate believer

This past Sabbath we heard from Pastor Mark about "The Desperate Believer." Hard times in life nearly always lead to an act of desperation, and wanting a change requires a desperate action.

The story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is one of the most popular parables Yeshua told. The son squandered everything he had, but it wasn't until he was feeding pigs that he decided to go back home. In a final act of desperation, he goes to beg his father to take him back. Instead of being angry his father welcomed him home with open arms. When we walk away from Yahweh, He is not waiting to punish us, but to welcome us back. Desperation can lead to redemption.

In Mark 5:25-34, we see the story of a woman who was inflicted with bleeding for 12 years. During all of that time she was considered unclean according to Jewish law, and was thus separated from Yahweh. It was her desperate faith that caused to reach out and touch Yeshua's garment and be healed. Sometimes we find ourselves waiting for Yahweh to touch our own lives when really He is waiting for us to reach out to Him.

Desperation is not always linked to troubles and hard times. Sometimes it reflects believers' desire to grow closer to Yah. Paul highlights this in Philippians 3:7-10, "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Paul was desperate to do Yahweh's work, to grow in his faith, and even suffer for Yahweh. He knew that all the physical problems he faced were worth the reward of eternal life with his Savior.

We need a little bit more desperation in our own lives. It is what brings us help, healing, growth and redemption. If you want revival in your faith and walk with Yah, then step out and do something desperate!