Faithful Healing: The Power of Showing Up

Devotional

Day 1: God Sees Beyond Our Condition to Our True Identity

No matter what labels or burdens we carry, God looks past our outward circumstances and sees us as His beloved children. While others may define us by our struggles, failures, or what society says about us, Jesus affirms our worth and identity, calling us by name and reminding us that we belong to Him. He speaks life and value over us, even when we feel overlooked or forgotten, and restores us to community and purpose. [01:41:12]

Luke 13:10-17 (NIV)
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

Reflection: What is one negative label or assumption you’ve carried that you need to let go of today, trusting instead in the identity Jesus speaks over you?

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 13:10-17 (ESV) — 10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, 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. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” 17 As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

Observation Questions

According to Luke 13:10-17, where did the woman receive her healing, and what does this setting tell us about the importance of community in her story? ([01:21:37])
How does Luke, who was a physician, describe the woman’s condition? Does he give it a specific name or diagnosis? ([01:28:35])
What title does Jesus use to address the woman, and why is this significant in the context of her society? ([01:41:12])
What was the first thing the woman did after she was healed? ([01:42:58])

Interpretation Questions

The woman came to the synagogue even though she was suffering and likely felt excluded. What does her decision to show up say about faith and perseverance? ([01:25:05])
The sermon points out that Luke does not name the woman’s condition, and that sometimes our struggles are hard to define. Why might it be important that Jesus doesn’t need a diagnosis to bring healing? ([01:37:41])
Jesus calls the woman “daughter of Abraham” before healing her. What does this reveal about how God sees us, especially when others may only see our problems or labels? ([01:41:12])
The woman’s healing was immediate, but her suffering lasted eighteen years. What does this story teach about God’s timing and faithfulness, even when answers are delayed? ([01:49:19])

Application Questions

The sermon says, “Sometimes the greatest miracle is simply showing up, even when hope feels distant.” Is there an area in your life where you need to keep showing up, even though you feel discouraged or burdened? What would it look like for you to take that step this week? ([01:25:05])
The pastor talked about how spiritual, emotional, and mental struggles can show up in our bodies. Are there ways you’ve noticed stress or pain affecting your health? What practical steps could you take—like seeking support, therapy, or healthy habits—to care for your whole self? ([01:31:23])
Jesus affirmed the woman’s identity before healing her. Are there labels or past experiences that you’ve let define you? How can you remind yourself this week that your true identity is as a beloved child of God? ([01:41:12])
The woman’s first response after being healed was to praise God. When was the last time you praised God in the middle of a hard season? What helps you to lift your eyes to Jesus when life has you “bent low”? ([01:42:58])
The sermon encourages us to keep trusting God’s faithfulness, even when we don’t understand the delay. Is there something you’ve been waiting on God for? How can you practice trust and hope in the waiting? ([01:49:19])
The pastor shared that seeking help—through therapy, community, or healthy practices—is not a lack of faith but an act of stewardship. Is there a step you need to take to reach out for help or support? What’s holding you back? ([01:31:23])
The story reminds us that our presence in community matters, even when we feel broken. How can you encourage someone else this week who might be struggling to “show up”? ([01:25:05])

Sermon Clips

I just want to tell somebody in here this morning to keep on coming to church. If you have to shuffle your way in here, shuffle on in. If you have to crawl your way in here, crawl on in. If you have to limp your way in here, limp on in. Because the healing happens when you show up, even when you are hurting. She didn't wait until she was healed to come to church. She shuffled her way there, bent, hurting, and struggling, and to God be the glory, Jesus was there. [01:26:52] (58 seconds) #KeepComingEvenWhenHurting

We didn't know what was happening we didn't know what to ask for and sometimes you won't but that doesn't mean you are powerless stop waiting until you can articulate what's wrong before you come to God Romans 8 26 tells us that the spirit helps us in our weakness we don't even know what we ought to pray for but the Holy Spirit intercedes for us even through wordless groans sometimes all I can say is help and I thank God that the Holy Spirit is a translator for me and that Jesus knows even when I can't articulate what I need help with. [01:37:53] (54 seconds) #GodSeesIdentityNotCondition

You may be carrying labels. Let's be real. Divorced, addict, failure, unemployed. But Jesus looks at you and says, you are mine. Isaiah 43, 1 says, fear not, for I have redeemed you. And God's redemption of you is all that matters. I have called you by name, says the Lord. You are mine. [01:42:28] (28 seconds) #DeliveranceLiftsYourEyes

``You may be bent by burdens, but not broken beyond blessing. You may be bent by disappointment, but not broken beyond deliverance. You may be bent by struggle, but not broken beyond salvation. You may be bent by grief and by loss today, but you are not broken beyond God's grace. [01:44:57] (28 seconds) #BentNotBrokenByFaith

Just imagine, for 18 years, her eyes were on the dirt, the dust, and the ground. But the first face that she saw when she stood tall was the face of Jesus. And that is what deliverance does. It lifts your head so you can see Jesus clearly again. And that's when I remember that this Jesus who we worship, that this God whom we serve, is the God of the impossible. [01:45:24] (35 seconds) #HopeBeyondYearsOfWaiting

Even when I'm bent, I'm not broken. In Job 4, 42 and 2, Job, after all he had been through, declares, I know you can do all things. No purpose of yours can be thwarted. Job knew what it meant to be bent, but he also knew that being bent isn't the same thing as being broken. I don't know if I have any witnesses who've been bent by life, but have learned that Jesus can straighten you out after life has bent you over. [01:46:59] (39 seconds) #KeepHoldingOnAndTrusting

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