45 And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.”
47 When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.
48 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 8:43-48. (Emphasis added.)
I see a connection between this Scripture and the preceding Scripture: “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39.
In Luke 8:39, we see the command “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” In Luke 8:47. we see the act of faith shown by the woman who “declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed”. Jesus acknowledged that this action of the woman was an act of faith by His declaration “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
“Describing what great things that God has done for you” is not only a command; it is an act of faith.
Scripture is full of the saints giving thanks to God and praising God for the great things that He has done for them. Here is one (unfamiliar to me) that I discovered when I did a keyword search. “He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.” Deuteronomy 10:21
We need to be specific. Notice how the woman described the specific need: “the reason why she had touched Him”. Notice how the woman described the specific great thing God had done for her: “how she had been immediately healed”. Notice the specificity in Deuteronomy 10:21: “which your eyes have seen.”
Imagine you are a witness in a courtroom. Will your testimony be helpful if it is general? Or, will your testimony be helpful if it is specific “which your eyes have seen”? If you are asked what you witnessed last Tuesday, May 4, 2010, would your testimony be helpful if you just said something general like: “I felt happy.” or “I felt sad.”? Of course not! The value of your testimony, the value of your witness, is at least partially based on how specific your observations are and how those specific observations support the other evidence.
Let us put ourselves in the crowd of people in the Scripture for today. We had never seen Jesus before, but we had heard some pretty amazing things about Him. We were wondering if Jesus could really heal people. Would it help us if that woman said something general like: “Jesus was good to me. I believe that I am saved and will go to heaven.”? Or, would it help us more if that woman was specific and described her great need (“a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone”), what she specifically tried to do (“why she had touched Him”), and what specifically happened when she did touch Him (“how she had been immediately healed”)?
Certainly, we understand: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. (Emphasis added.). We don’t base our faith on what we see on the corner of Monroe and Division in downtown Grand Rapids to paraphrase Professor Hoeksema’s point. Instead, we base our faith on what Scripture states.
However, when we specifically testify as to the great things that God has done for us, and it provides a specific example supporting what we read in Scripture, then such specific testimony can both build our faith and also build the faith of others who hear our specific testimony and who also hear such Scripture.
In addition to the value of building faith, let us consider what is more pleasing to God. Let us think of ourselves as a parent at Christmas. We had given much thought as to what specific gift would please our child. We are watching our child open that gift under the Christmas tree. Would it please us more if our child said something general: “Thank you for the gift, but I am most thankful for the roof, shelter, and clothing that you provide me.” Or, would it please us more if our child was specific and squealed with delight: “Dad, you know I like to play with trucks in our back yard! You know how I love it when Tommy comes over and brings his construction truck! Now, I also have my very own construction truck! And, it is my favorite yellow Caterpillar construction truck!!!”
“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.’ Hebrews 13:15-16.
In conclusion, “Describing what great things that God has done for you” is not only a command; it is an act of faith. “Describing what great things that God has done for you” not only builds your faith and the faith of others; it pleases God.
As I reflect on what great things that God has done for me, I think of the 45 pounds of weight that I lost in the last six months. My blood pressure went down from borderline high to normal. My cholesterol went down to normal. I don’t snore, at least not near as much and not near as loud. I look better, and I feel better.
I did not intend to lose this weight as a duty of discipline. I had a common cold last October, and like most who have a cold, I was just not hungry. I found myself just wanting to eat chicken soup and pudding.
God caused that common cold to work for my good. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.
When I saw that I had dropped 10 pounds, I decided to continue and ride that blessing wave. I stayed with soup for lunch, and for dinner, I added a “Healthy Choice” frozen dinner.
As I lost more weight, I felt like I wanted to increase my exercises, and I did so. And, I lost more weight. But, I concluded that comparing the role of exercise with the role of diet, the more important element to weight loss is diet.
But, most importantly, God blessed me. God “healed” me. God used the “common cold” to get me started. God gave me the “will” to continue the diet. God gave me the energy to increase the exercises. God made me more healthy.
“1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 