‘Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.’ Is an old (not Biblical) proverb that means it’s better to deal with someone or something bad that you know, then to deal with someone or something new that you don’t know.
Firstly, let me make it crystal clear that nothing positive can ever come from a proverb that is telling you to trust the devil!
What this proverb actually does, is give people a false sense of security. It encourages you to stay in a comfort zone rather than try new things. Isn’t that what many are doing nowadays? Some even accept problems as a ‘part of life’ that can’t be changed.
They adapt to their situation, accommodating whatever problem comes along.
That’s probably what the woman with the blood issue did for 12 long years. A blood issue today could be anything from anemia and blood clots to leukemia. She had visited many doctors but found no cure and had spent all that she had in looking for a solution. Imagine having to live that situation for 12 years – constantly bleeding and being judged as unclean and having to isolate because of it. This is what that lady had to put up with. She was such an outcast that until today, we do not even know her name.
There came a time when this lady got tired of living with the ‘devil she knew’ and saw an opportunity when Jesus was in town:
“When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.” Mark 5: 27-29
That whole situation could have gone sideways.
1. She was a woman
2. She was seen as dirty
3. Instead of isolating she mingled in the crowd
4. She dared to touch a man – she dared to touch Jesus
She took a big risk. All of this could have gotten her stoned to death. Or could it?
This lady knew what many today do not realize. When you look to God for help, when you turn your situation and life to His Altar, there’s no risk of failure. God doesn’t fail.
Granted, it must have been scary for her to do what she did, but she was tired of her sickness and her desire for healing outweighed the adrenaline flying through her.And the result? She was healed IMMEDIATELY!
What is the problem you are battling with? Do not accept to live with a false sense of security. Do not try to accommodate your problems. Instead, do as that woman did and go after Jesus. The odds were stacked against her, but she didn’t care and neither should you. It doesn’t matter how long you been suffering or what caused it. Just believe that God can bring you out of it.
But you’ve got to take that first step. You’ve got to reach out and touch His garment.
The ball is in your court.
May the God of the Bible bless you.
Bishop Joshua Fonseca
