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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
garment. Her narration was interrupted by her grateful tears as she
experienced the joy of perfect health, which had been a stranger to her
for twelve weary years. Instead of being angered at her presumption,
Jesus commended her action, saying, “Daughter, be of good comfort.
Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” In these words he
instructed all present that it was no virtue in the simple act of touching
his clothes that had wrought the cure, but in the strong faith that
reached out and claimed his divine help.
The true faith of the Christian is represented in this woman. It is
not essential to the exercise of faith that the feelings should be wrought
up to a high pitch of excitement; neither is it necessary, in order to
gain the hearing of the Lord, that our petitions should be noisy, or
attended with physical exercise. It is true that Satan frequently creates
in the heart of the suppliant such a conflict with doubt and temptation
that strong cries and tears are involuntarily forced from him; and it is
also true that the penitent’s sense of guilt is sometimes so great that
a repentance commensurate with his sin causes him to experience an
agony that finds vent in cries and groans, which the compassionate
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Saviour hears with pity. But Jesus does not fail to answer the silent
prayer of faith. He who simply takes God at his word, and reaches out
to connect himself with the Saviour, will receive his blessing in return.
Faith is simple in its operation and powerful in its results. Many
professed Christians, who have a knowledge of the sacred word, and
believe its truth, fail in the childlike trust that is essential to the religion
of Jesus. They do not reach out with that peculiar touch that brings the
virtue of healing to the soul. They allow cold doubt to creep in and
destroy their confidence. He who waits for entire knowledge before he
can exercise faith, will never be blessed of God. “Faith is the substance
of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
The diseased woman believed that Jesus could heal her, and the
more her mind was exercised in that direction, the more certain she
became that even to touch his garment would relieve her malady. In
answer to her firm belief, the virtue of divine power granted her prayer.
This is a lesson of encouragement to the soul defiled by sin. In like
manner as Jesus dealt with bodily infirmities, will he deal with the
repentant soul that calls on him. The touch of faith will bring the
coveted pardon that fills the soul with gratitude and joy.