Help Friends in Need
ICS Daily Devotions
Luke 5:18,24-25 (NKJV) Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralysed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him…. But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralysed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
It is demoralising to be paralysed, and it is easy to feel discouraged, hopeless, and helpless. Even though we might not be physically paralysed, we can be immobilised by fear, anxiety, and oppression. Though at times, it may be justifiable for us to feel down, we need to know that our predominant thoughts will affect our emotions and moods. Therefore, while we need to acknowledge the reality that we are facing, we can choose what kind of thoughts to have. As the saying goes, even though we cannot prevent the bird from flying over our heads, we can stop it from building a nest on our heads. This paralytic had good reasons to lament, call a pity party, and curse God, but none of that would have changed the situation.
Instead of bitterness, this paralysed man was full of faith. He may have heard about Jesus and all the miraculous work that He had been doing, and faith rose up in him. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Therefore, we should take time to read and listen to the Word to keep our faith and focus our thoughts on God rather than on our circumstances.
This paralysed man also had four friends of exceptional character and faith in God. His faith made him agree to be taken down to Jesus, but if all of them had not shared the same goal, their mission would have failed.
In her book “Up: Writing A New Chapter of Joy and Laughter”, Beth Jones wrote: “It’s amazing how the right person at the right time can be used by God to comfort, encourage, refresh and cheer us up from the place of depression”.
Sadly, not many people have the time or patience for a paralysed friend, nor does every paralytic have the faith to reach out to Jesus. It is understandable for people to feel sorry and bad about themselves in such a situation, and it can be tiring to journey with someone with high emotional and physical needs. However, most of us will also be beaten down by life’s blows at some point in our lifetime. Therefore, we all need a small circle of friends of faith who genuinely love and care for us, like the four faith-filled friends, and we should also strive to be a friend who are willing to go the extra mile for others.
Sermon Series: Up! Cell Group Campaign
