“When Jesus overheard what was said, he told the synagogue leader, ‘Don’t be afraid. Only believe.’” (v. 36)

Be encouraged:

Even though this life is disordered—even though we are dragged by deceit and desperation and death—there is hope. Jesus, at a word, changes things.

This is the power of belief: The Sovereign Lord redeems, restores, and returns our hopes.

Does that mean He will always change YOUR thing? Will we, like the synagogue leader, see Jesus undo our tragedy and restore our treasure?

Actually, no. Belief is not the guarantee of all your things. Just the one thing: that Jesus is for you, and that death is not death, in Him. But His power over death spills over into power for our lives, too, by His grace.

So be encouraged, even if you are facing the worst. Belief—at His invitation—has afforded us an everlasting confidence. And, because He is good, Jesus’ goodness is still breaking into today.

— Tyler