Matthew 8:15     

“So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.”

I have family members who are unwell and their sickness troubles my soul. Although my wife and I are well, there are others dear to us who are not, and their conditions are making our hearts sick. Today’s verse is a great comfort to me because I see that Jesus does not only care for my personal needs or needs of my wife, but He also cares for the needs of other members of my family. I am learning again that although my family members may not ask and neither have I asked, Jesus understands the sorrow I feel by the conditions of my beloved ones, and He will act to make them well and to restore my joy.

Just as Peter never asked for this healing and neither did Peter’s wife, but Jesus acted in total sovereignty and love because of the grief He must have seen in Peter’s heart, so shall it be for us in Jesus’ name. As Jesus sees the torture and torment that engulfs our hearts because of the physical, spiritual and emotional sicknesses of our family members, He will move to heal them. This we believe and this we anticipate, so stop fretting. He sees your heart; He knows your pain. He will touch your family members, and when He does, they will arise to serve Him.

“Lord Jesus, this is real to me today. I ache as I see members of my family live in spiritual darkness and lostness. I serve You Jesus and You have used me to bless others, but members of my own family need you desperately. Arise and touch them please, even as You did for Peter’s mother-in-law. I ask this in your name. Amen.”