Have you ever been desperate?
Desperation can make you feel so ……..well, DESPERATE!
It’s a state of being hopeless and frantic at the same time. A terrible feeling of “neediness” that no one wants, desperation makes us ready to do whatever it takes to gain what appears impossible to achieve on our own.
We can become desperate for –
relief,
reconciliation,
recovery,
or a rescue.
Any number of things can qualify as being at the root of our desperation, but what they have in common is where they can lead us- searching for help.
This is where we find CROWDS with “neediness” pressing in to gain access to Jesus in Mark 3:7-12.
Why were the crowds desperate?
Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.
Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.
Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him.
It is obvious that MANY of these people were desperate, maybe even at their breaking point.
They needed Jesus in a huge way!
They had heard the stories of impossibilities coming true- miracles taking place. And they wanted one for themselves!
Some needed healing.
Some needed delivering.
Ultimately, ALL of them needed SOMETHING, whether they realized it or not, that only Jesus could provide.
They came looking for a MIRACLE and many of them received it.
But then what?
Does life go back to normal after you receive what you are desperate for? Are we ever ANY different after having been driven to desperation?
What eventually happened to these crowds?
It would be tempting to think that they all began to follow Jesus and devote themselves to His Gospel. But that’s not the case.
John 6:66 reveals an answer later as Jesus began to dish out hard teaching ALONG with His miracles.
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
So it becomes clear that many people came to Jesus but fewer actually chose to remain and follow.
The reality was, most of the crowds wanted more of His POWER with less of His PERSON.
Why didn’t they continue to follow Jesus?
Desperation may drive us to Christ but only devotion will cause us to remain.
Desperation may drive us to Christ but only devotion will cause us to remain. Share on XWhile many came for what He could do for them, fewer stayed for who He was to them. They wanted a solution, not a Savior.
They wanted a solution, not a Savior. Share on XThe fact that they did not continue to follow Christ reveals what they were truly after- a change in their circumstance, not necessarily a change in themselves.
How often is this the way WE respond to Christ?
We come running to Him when we are desperate for relief from our most intolerable problem. Yet, as soon as we find the sudden, swift relief we are after, we go on our merry way until the next big crisis sends us running back in desperation.
Why don’t we?
We all know our breaking point, and some of us are there now. It’s hard to prioritize anything above the relief from our suffering, but if we don’t change in the process, are we any more prepared for the next round of desperation?
If we don't change in the process, are we any more prepared for the next round of desperation? Share on XThose most impacted for the good from their encounter with Christ seem to relate their value of the miracle to the greatness of the One who performed it, as seen in the demon-possessed man in Mark 5:1-20. He was freed from his tormented state and his immediate response is found in verses 18-20.
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
This man was desperate for a miracle just like the previous crowds. But what was different was that he recognized the greater opportunity that his desperation afforded him–
Jesus Himself!
The miracle could relieve his suffering but only Jesus could satisfy his soul!
A miracle could relieve his suffering but only Jesus could satisfy his soul! Share on XAnd that, my friend, is far better than a temporary solution.
I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
Just as David realized after having ascended to the throne of Israel, miraculous relief from our desperation is most beneficial when it opens our eyes and heart to the Person of God Himself. When we can value who He is more than what He can do for us, we will have received our greatest advantage through our times of desperation.
David came through battles with a lion, a bear, a giant, a raging king, betraying friends, and enemy nations ALL seeking his death. But what made the best difference in his life was what he gained from God through intimacy.
Desperation drove David to need God, but devotion sent him after the heart of God!
Desperation drove David to need God, but devotion sent him after the heart of God! Share on XWhen you have devotion for the Lord, times of desperation will not ever have the power over you as they had before.
nylse says
Stopping by from #GraceandTruth Linkup.
I wanted to read your post because I’m currently working on a post on desperation as it appears in the life of Samson. In Samson’s case, it was at the end of his life. His desperation and devotion were intertwined.
Thanks for your insight
Gretchen Fleming says
My pleasure! Thanks for stopping by!
Sue Donaldson says
i’ve thought for awhile now that a sign of the mature believer is to run to God just as quickly and desperately and longingly in the good times–not only the desperate times. To know myself accurately is my daily prayer bc when i do, I run and run quick. Thanks, gretchen -and just pinned your lovely printable w/ chair. I love printables with chairs. (:
Gretchen Fleming says
Thank you Sue and I appreciate your visit today:)
Rebecca L Jones says
I’ve been desperate, probably even today. I need Him to be everything.
Gretchen Fleming says
I have been there myself plenty of times Rebecca. The strength and comfort only He can give helps sustain us when nothing else will. I’m so sorry you are desperate right now. I’m praying for you friend.
Julie Lefebure says
Beautiful words. I want to remain desperate for Jesus. May I never lose my desire to be chasing after Him! Thank you for your words and truth shared! Following you at Deb’s this week. Blessings!
Gretchen Fleming says
Thanks Julie for visiting with me today:)
Laura Thomas says
Oh yes, how often we run to God in desperation and then as soon as we think everything’s “fixed”, we forget His goodness. I’m so grateful for His grace and patience with me! Thanks for this reminder… stopping by from #FreshMarketFriday 🙂
Gretchen Fleming says
I agree Laura. It can be a cycle we have a difficult time breaking. Running to God only in desperation is experiencing only part of who He is. We miss out on the depth of intimacy and knowledge that is ours when we continue to pursue Him. I did that for years but finally in my late twenties was able to enjoy more consistency in my relationship with Him. Thanks for stopping by:)
June says
I love that account of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5 simply because he wanted to go with Jesus! Proof that he wasn’t just healed, but CHANGED! Insightful post, Gretchen. Have a blessed week!
Gretchen Fleming says
Very well said June! Changed and not just healed! I like that:)
Ccordelia says
Hi Gretchen, I just “found you” today through Suzanne Eller. Oh my, I don’t know what to say except it has been a God-moment for me…..truly Father filtered. I’m a Grandma….have walked with my Lord since I’m 10 years old, have a wonderful husband, dear children and grandchildren. But I am facing some health challenges that have rocked my emotions a bit…..KNOWING I can trust my Heavenly Father but daggers from the enemy of my soul coming around me. I have a precious husband who prays faithfully for me so this is my battle….I put the armor on daily but this post today feels like it is from the heart and hand of God to my emotions. I have tears as I write for I see the enemy having too much victory in my lack of rest in my Father’s faithfulness for I have experienced His faithfulness over and over. THANK YOU for using your experiences to pour into my life. All I know to express is may He bless you as you continue to minister to ladies. Please pray that I WILL grasp this fully and thereby rest in my Father’s care.
Gretchen Fleming says
Cordelia, what a precious reply! I am praying for you friend about your health concerns and the desire to rest more with God about them. I know that I gain more progress when I read the Bible and recite Scripture describing what I want as my goal. Like Isaiah 26:3 or Psalm 62:5, I pray these back to God using the Word to bring about what I am needing to glorify His name. I also thank Him and rejoice in what is going right as described in Philippians 4. By thanking and focusing, I also feel better practically. I pray this helps you today and thank you so much for visiting with me:)
Cordelia says
Thank you for this encouragement, Gretchen. I love using His Word to pray it back to Him……but oh how I needed the direction to thank Him and focus on His truth rather than worry. Thank You for your prayers! It feels like a test….and I want to come through it victoriously….whether the results are full of praise or concern. Thank you for taking time to reach my heart.
Medy says
Hi Gretchen, thankyou for your post. like the others, I also in my desperations at this time to save my family. Sometimes I wonder, will I be stay in the same routine of my hopes and prayers when my burden relief or be upset of unanswered prayers? I lives in fear for the whole of my life and I know this is not from God, and only God can change me and my situation. I need God to change me desperately, but at the same time will I be ready and when God willing to do this for me ?
Gretchen Fleming says
Medy, I know God does not want us to live in fear and angst, for this testifies of our lack of trust in Him. I know this feeling well and was convicted several years ago about my little faith revealed by this. I have a video Bible study on my website under “resources “. It teaches how to persevere, kicking fear and worry to the curb! It has outlines and homework questions that go with each video. I know that being in the Word on a regular basis was what helped me the most when I was full of anxiety. I think you will find comfort and help by looking at those videos. God is able Medy AND willing!! Bless you friend:)
Cordelia says
Medy, I want to come alongside you and pray for you….trusting with you that you may see God’s love and faithfulness. I love what Gretchen said….may God’s Word be where your heart finds rest. I heard someone say, “My heart and my home is in God’s Word.”