Luke 5:12-16
It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do will it. Be made clean." And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but "Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them." The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for artists, that they use their talents to glorify Our Lord and Our God.
"Lord, if you wish..."
I have a saying that I hangs above my computer that I got through another e-mail list on virtues:
"The only thing I do is this: no matter what happens, I do not let myself become upset or disturbed. I retain peace of soul even in afflictions, because I leave everything to God. Success or difficulty, abundance or want - I accept it all from Him with equal gratitude."
The man full of leprosy did not come to God saying that he would be loyal to Him if this was granted. He did not come to God demanding to be healed. Instead, he came to God with the attitude that it is all up to Him whether or not he could be healed. This leper, in this little statement, not only acknowledges who God is, but also acknowledges that it is only God who can heal him and he will be obedient whether he is healed or not. He is a good example of "Thy will be done."
"... you can make me clean."
The second part of this simple statement shows us how much this leper trusted in Our Lord and Our God. He acknowledges who God and trusts that whatever God wills will be done.
We all need to be healed. All we need to do is take a look at our sins to be reminded that God wants to heal us from all things that put enmity between us and Him. In His mercy, He may take us away from a relationship or a job that draws us into sin. We cannot see His mercy if we are unwilling to trust in Him. We must desire to be made clean in order for us to see how God is working in our lives to make us clean. If we are not willing to humble, then all the trials of our lives will seem useless. These trials are all a part of our cleansing.
"Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean..." Be obedient and trust in the Lord. Take care and God Bless.
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