Mark 5:35-36 NIV

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”  Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

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Jairus had informed Jesus that his daughter was sick, and Jesus had agreed to go and pray over her. On the way, Jesus stopped to listen to a story from the woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years; a woman who got her healing by touching the hem of His garment. In the process, some people informed Jairus that his daughter had died. In addition,  they told him not to bother Jesus anymore.  It was a call for Jairus to give up. Who we surround ourselves with matters. Do they tell us to give up when the situation seems dead, or do they stand with us and assure us like Jesus did that it is not over until it is over?

When Jesus was about to be crucified,  His heart too was heavy. He needed time off to pray and the first thing He did was cut out the multitude, and take only 3 disciples with Him. He went on to pray and sweat drops of blood. It was an intense moment.

Life gets to a point where we feel the pressure and the intensity of our circumstances feels overwhelming.  That is not the time to add to our crowd or to shout it from the rooftops. It is time to choose whose voice we will listen to. That of the naysayers around us, the crowd we call our friends and followers, or the voice of God who assures us He will never leave us not forsake us? It is time to choose our crowd,  the fewer the better.

May the Lord give us the grace to know our source, to know that our power comes from Him alone. May we hearken to His voice, trust in His assurance that He will never leave us nor forsake us. May we remember that His promises are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’. He will send His angels to minister to us if only we believe.  Like Jairus, Jesus will bring our dead situations back to life. Just believe and let Him lead the way.