Hymns

Day 15 – She Only Touched the Hem of His Garment

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: (Mat 9:20)

This song is a beautiful tribute to the healing power of our Saviour!

George F. Root was born on August 30, 1820, in Sheffield Massachusetts and died on August 6, 1895 in Bailey Island, Maine. By the time George was 13 years old, he was able to play 13 instruments. I could not find any biographical information on George’s spiritual background. But as I read another one of George’s hymns entitled, Thou Art My Rock, it was evident that he was saved. No one could pen words as poignant as these and not know the Rock of Ages personally! Maybe I will use this hymn on another day. I felt that today’s hymn was needed, not only for those who have a physical trial but for those who have another kind of trial or burden, whether it be emotional, spiritual, marital, etc.

She Only Touched the Hem of His Garment

She only touched the hem of His garment
As to His side she stole,
Amid the crowd that gathered around Him,
And straightway she was whole.

Refrain

Oh, touch the hem of His garment!
And thou, too, shalt be free!
His saving power this very hour
Shall give new life to thee!

She came in fear and trembling before Him,
She knew her Lord had come;
She felt that from Him virtue had healed her,
The mighty deed was done.

Refrain

He turned with “Daughter, be of good comfort,
Thy faith hath made thee whole!”
And peace that passeth all understanding
With gladness filled her soul.

Refrain

God is so good, isn’t He? Although this dear soul in Matthew 9:20 was healed physically, there is much to glean about being healed spiritually and emotionally. Have you had a need to touch the hem of the Lord’s garment today? Have you come to Him today?

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (Joh 6:37)

The unsaved cannot claim this and cannot share in the joy and peace that is found there.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28 )

I found it interesting that it was the hem of Christ’s garment that was touched and not His arm or His shoulder. One must kneel to reach the hem of a robe. This takes humility and setting pride aside.

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (Mar 1:40)

I believe wholeheartedly that Jesus put this particular gesture in the Scriptures for this very reason.

To the believer, much can be gleaned from touching the hem of the Saviour’s garment as well. Just because we are saved, our own righteousness is still nothing in the eyes of God.

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isa 64:6)

Kneeling before the Lord in prayer acknowledging who He is draws us to His side.

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. (Heb 7:19)

We are able to find solace at His feet and we recognize that the Creator of the Universe is there to heal us from our burdens – whatever those burdens may be.

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psa 55:22)

Are we all guaranteed physical healing? The Scriptures say no! If that were the case, everyone would have been healed when the Apostles walked the earth and exercised the gift of healing that the Holy Spirit had given to them. Instead, Paul struggled with his own physical trial – the thorn in his side.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (2 Co 12:7)

Also, Paul could have healed Timothy’s stomach problems.

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. (1 Ti 5:23)

Furthermore, Gaius would not have had physical issues because John would have healed him. (3 John 1:2)

All physical healings are subject to the will of God in our lives. If anyone had a chance to be healed, it was Paul. However, God told him that His grace was sufficient for him.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Co 12:9)

When God allows us to experience physical trials, it is because He can be glorified even more through the trials. Paul recognized this.

Our Heavenly Father would never give us more than we can handle. If He did, that would make Him cruel and we know that is not so!

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Cor 10:13)

The word temptation in this verse does not mean being tempted to sin. The Greek word here is peirazō – meaning:

G3985
πειράζω
peirazō
pi-rad’-zo
From G3984; to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline: – assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try.

In other words, God allows these tests in our lives to discipline us spiritually or to prove our metal, so to speak. Not only does this draw us closer to Him but when we are weak, we can use it to examine ourselves and learn and grow thereby.

How are you handling your physical trial today? Are you wallowing in self pity? Are you bitter? Are you angry with God? If you are any of these, forsake it and allow God’s grace to be sufficient for you. Allow God to work through you for the benefit of others. Allow God to draw others to Himself as they witness His grace in your life.

Those with physical trials are not going through anything more difficult than those who are going through other types of trials. Each of us has a cross that we must bear in life. If you think your burden is heavier than someone else’s, then your eyes are on others and not on the Lord. God allows the trial in our lives to draw us to Him and Him only. Who do you run to when you are suffering? Your friend? Your spouse? They are not the ones who can help you.

[A Song of degrees.] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (Psa 121:1)

Whatever it takes for us to see only Christ is exactly what God will allow. I could not bear the burden of fibromyalgia and God knows that I would not glorify His name. However, He has allowed me the opportunity to glorify Him through the trials assigned to me personally. The cross He has given to me to carry is allowed especially for me so that I can help others). There’s nothing new under the sun, the Scriptures say. (Ecc 1:9) There are others out there who are going through the same exact trial as I am. It is up to me to help them through their trial as God helped me through mine. This is what brings glory to God. That is why we are here – we are to minister to the needs of others.

Today’s hymn is so beautiful! The Lord shows us that through faith we can overcome our circumstances by touching the hem of His garment. He promises to heal us one way or another – if not physically, He will lift our spirits so we can sore with the eagles!

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (Isa 40:28 )

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (Isa 40:29)

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (Isa 40:30)

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40:31)