It has been some time since I have written a devotion. There has been so much going on these days. Outside of the social injustices and the world pandemic, we face the reality of living in a world where evil resides. The presence of evil brings with it all of its plagues, diseases, heartbreaks, headaches, backaches, agony, pain – however you describe it.

Personally speaking, I have battled a health scare over the passed 4 weeks that left me speechless, heartbroken, scared and emotionally imbalanced. I have gone from taking my regular women’s multivitamin, to now having 3 medications (one of which I have to give myself two injections per day) which costs over $1100.

I am convinced that health and wellness is in our own personal hands. This industry is huge. Making someone well would mean less funds in the pockets of the pharmaceutical industry and those who partner with them. Top that off with the fact that three years ago today, I loss my mother. So my emotions are all over the place.

When I am in this space, I am often quiet, reflecting, speaking to the Holy Spirit and waiting for His guidance on what He heard at the heavenly board meeting, where God and Jesus would be reviewing my requests. Today I was reading a scripture that spoke to my heart. It placed so much in perspective. I pray it brings encouragement to you.

Matthew 12:13 King James Version (KJV)
Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Jesus had a conversation with some doubters about working on the Sabbath. Some people questioned His heavenly works on the Sabbath. Jesus proposed a question. Listen here, when you talk about someone’s financial resources or their possessions, the response changes. That’s called hittem where it hurts. So, Jesus asks if one of their sheep (source of livelihood) fell into a pit on the Sabbath day (the day of rest), would they leave the sheep in the pit until the next day. A few scriptures prior to verse 13, Jesus notices a man with a withered hand. To prove that He was the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus tells the man to stretch forth his hand and the man stretched it forth and his hand was restored whole.

The end of the verse above says: “and he STRETCHED IT forth.” I am dealing with a withered situation. This situation seeks to restrict healthy foods that I love. I temporarily (I refuse to proclaim indefinite) have to visit doctors twice per week, and my diet is impaired, but when I read this scripture, it spoke directly to me. if I stretch forth my situation towards Jesus, He will perform a whole (complete) restoration in my life.

Maybe you have a withered situation in your life, your relationship, finances, losses, or emotional drain from all that is transpiring. I encourage you and myself to stretch IT forth. Give that situation to Jesus. He is telling us to give it to Him, and watch the miracle happen before our eyes. The key is we have to present it to Him. We have to relinquish it from our grasp, let go, and trust in the power of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 4:20 New King James Version (NKJV)
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

Stretch it forth! By the way, that is the perfect position of praise. Praise Him for what He has done, is doing and will do!