Thank you Jesus!

Scripture:

Luke 13:11-13 And there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. (12) When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your disability." (13) And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.

Observation:

Why was healing considered work? The religious leaders saw healing as part of a doctor's profession, and practicing one's profession on the Sabbath was prohibited. The synagogue leader could not see beyond the law to Jesus' compassion in healing this crippled woman. Jesus shamed him and the other leaders by pointing out their hypocrisy. They would untie their animals and care for them, but they refused to rejoice when a human being was freed from Satan's bondage.

Application:

When God straightens you up, make sure you glorify Him - nobody else, just Him! Others may be the instruments He uses, but He alone is the source of your every blessing. Don't allow anybody to guilt-trip you, or hold you hostage to an act of kindness. When people ask God to use them, He does it by assigning them to minister to others. That's a privilege. They shouldn't look to others for their reward; they should look to God for it.

But be prepared; when you start glorifying God, some folks won't understand you. That's because they've never had your problem. This woman had been bent over for 18 years. Once she was made straight, she couldn't help but give glory to God. Can you imagine being bent over, not able to walk right, not able to sit right, not able to rest right...but at the touch of Jesus' hand...MADE RIGHT! We really don't know how uncomfortable she must have been. But Jesus straightened her up. Because of that, she couldn't nor would she keep from praising the Lord!

Peter and John were put in prison, and then brought before the court because of their talk about this "Jesus". They were even commanded and warned NOT to even speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Listen to what they said:

Act 4:19-20 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. (20) For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

They determined, like the lady in our text, that they were going to praise God, period! You see, your praise is related to your former pain - the greater the pain the greater the praise! Until you've been bound, you'll never know how good it feels to be free! Until you've walked in someone else's shoes, you won't understand why they're dancing in them. Jesus said, "When you've received much, you'll love much" (Luke 7:47).

Whether you shout, whisper, fall on your face or run like the wind, God is worthy to be praised! He commands it! He delights in it! He actually dwells in it! So today, praise Him for all He has done for you!

Prayer:

"Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy in my life. I can't help but shout praises to Your name. When my praise begins to wane, it is because I have forgotten about the pain that You brought me out of! Forgive me Lord for being so out of balance in my life. I am thankful that I can bring my needs to you, but I MUST remember to daily give you praise. You straightened my life out, you forgave me of my sins, you restored my hope, you renewed my confidence, you changed my destiny, You changed my eternity, You brought me through the storm, You brought me through the fiery furnaces of my life, You lifted me out of depression, out of discouragement, out of despair, You believed in me when no one else did! How can I NOT praise Your holy name! I want to shout it from the top of my voice, THANK YOU JESUS, THANK YOU JESUS, THANK YOU JESUS!"