To Touch the Hem of His Garment
(The Woman with the Issue of Blood)
By Keena Cox, State Girl’s Clubs Coordinator, Rocky Mountain Region

Scripture:  Mark 5:25-34

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is a very common story, especially to women.  We’ve heard about this story in women’s conferences, in women’s Bible studies and even preached from our pulpits.  However, this story never grows old to me.  It is the story of the woman with an issue of blood.  I like this story because I can identify with her.  No, I’ve not had an issue of blood that I’ve suffered with for many years, but haven’t we all had something that has plagued us?  We feel like if we could “just touch the hem of His garment,” everything would be okay.  What is it about this woman that is so intriguing to me?

1.  The woman was desperate.  Mark tells us in chapter 5 when speaking of such a woman that she had suffered for twelve years.  She had been to many doctors and according to Mark, she had spent everything she had to pay them.  This woman had put everything she had into finding her healing.  She had put her life on the line, literally, and had given everything she had just for some relief. 

How many of us search everywhere else first?  We spend thousands of dollars for the doctor to say, “I’m sorry—there’s nothing more I can do.”  So instead of taking that answer, we just go find another doctor.  How long do we suffer with our personal pains before we take it to the Master?  In my mind, I see this woman putting on her “church” face in order to face the other ladies of the town.  After all, isn’t that what we do?  We pretend all is well in our lives, when on the inside we are dying.  Stay with me, we have some lessons to learn from our friend with the issue of blood.

2.  The woman was determined.  I see the crowds that are so tight you can’t even walk.  Picture with me the people standing shoulder to shoulder just trying to push their way through each other.  Have you ever been shopping the day after Thanksgiving and tried to push your way through for that bargain of a lifetime?  This woman knew this was better than any “After-Thanksgiving Day” bargain.  She was determined to touch His garment. 

I’m reminded of 2 Timothy where we’re told that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power…”  At this point in her life, the woman with the issue of blood was not fearing anything.  All she had on her mind was that she was going to get her healing.  I wonder what would happen in our lives if we took 2 Timothy to heart and walked in that power?  I wonder how many ladies would get to “touch the hem of His garment?”  If we could be as determined as this woman, I feel certain that our lives would be different.  After all, when she finally did touch His garment, she was instantly healed.  She knew it and Jesus knew it.  That’s why He was so determined to find who it was that had taken power from Him.  He knew her life had just changed. 

3. The woman reached her destiny.  When Jesus found who it was that had touched Him, He found the woman on her knees trembling.  Was she frightened of Him?  I personally do not think that was the case.  She was trembling because she knew that her life had just changed forever.  She knew that her determined spirit had just turned her into a devoted follower.  When Jesus spoke to her, His words were simple.  “Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace.  Your suffering is over.”

Aren’t those the words we long to hear?  “Go in peace, your suffering is over.”  Isn’t that why we fight with determination to be devoted in order to have peace in our lives?  That’s exactly what I wanted a couple of years ago in my life—for my suffering to be over. 

I once read a quote that said, “Pass on the faithfulness of God and His provision in your life, and share it with others.”  There is something about our testimonies that encourage others.  That is why we are told in Revelation that we are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and by our testimony.  With that in mind, allow me to share a part of my testimony in attempts to be an overcomer and to encourage you.

I identify with the woman with an issue of blood because I too had my own “issue.”  As stated above, it wasn’t an issue of blood—but an issue of infertility.  I wanted a child so desperately.  I was down-to-earth.  My husband and I spent many dollars visiting doctors, fertility specialists and anyone else we thought that could help us conceive a child.  My “suffering” had been going on for about four years.  In my mind I never dreamed we would have trouble having a child.  (But do any of us begin life with a vision of our “sufferings”?)  After our doctor told us there was nothing more he could do for us, he sent us to another specialist.  At the same time, a couple invited us to an adoption support group meeting.  At this point, I suppose I was still “down-to-earth” and had not caught a glimpse of my destiny.  Thankfully my husband was determined.  He insisted that we go to this support group.  I begrudgingly went.  However, yet again, thankfully the Lord meets us where we are.  It was there that I knew that’s how my husband and I would have a child—through adoption.

After a very short process, we miraculously adopted our daughter who is fourteen months old today.  On August 10, 2007, we were standing before the judge and he stated, “From this day forth, this child will be known as Hannah Jordan Cox.”  When I heard those words, I knew that my heavenly Father had spoken the words to me, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, your suffering is over.”

Why do I identify with this story so much you ask?  It is because I feel like I touched the hem of His garment.  It wasn’t just a physical transformation for our family, but a spiritual transformation for us as well.

1. What “sufferings” are you walking with that you need to be determined to touch the hem of His garment?
2. What areas in your life do you need help with so that you can reach your destiny?
3. Do you have a testimony that you need to share with others in order for you to be an overcomer?

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