The Sabbath Journey
Finding Strength and Healing Against All Odds Description: For eighteen painful years, a routine trip to the synagogue meant enduring physical torment and public mockery. Discover a deeply moving personal testimony of perseverance, faith, and the transformative moment an unexpected encounter turned a life of suffering into a journey of pure joy and miraculous healing.
LATESTRENEW
Stephen
7/18/20262 min read
On the Sabbath, I had begun going to the synagogue. I asked my sister whether she wanted to come with me, but she declined, which I understood because I needed to leave much earlier than others because of my disability.
I would set out very early because I could not walk as quickly as other people. This had been part of my life for almost 18 years: I could not stand upright, and I could not walk without the help of a stick. Each step required effort. I had to extend the stick ahead of me, hold it tightly, and slowly drag myself forward.
Sometimes, my sister would scold me for insisting on going to worship every Sabbath despite my disability. Still, I did not give up. Although the synagogue was a little far from our house and the journey was painful, I continued to go. Every few hundred meters, I had to stop and rest to ease the pain in my back.
Life was difficult because I could not live as others did. Eighteen long years had already passed, and there seemed to be no quick end in sight because no one knew of a cure for my condition. At times, I wondered whether this suffering would remain with me for the rest of my life. People on the road would stare, laugh, and make jokes at my expense; some even asked mockingly where I was going, as if I were on my way to meet the king.
When I entered the synagogue, I noticed more crowd than normal.
After some time, the preacher arrived. Over the years, I had seen many teachers, but he seemed different. His eyes were bright, and his face shone with a warmth that seemed to spread love throughout the synagogue. When he began to teach, everyone listened with deep attention. That day, I felt something unusual stirring within me. As he spoke, it seemed as though he was looking directly at me. Was he truly looking at me? Perhaps not, I thought, and I tried to focus on his teaching.
Then it seemed as if he was calling me. Was he really calling me? I was surprised and uncomfortable. Why would he call me in front of the crowd? To reach him, I would have to crawl before everyone. Still, I gathered all my strength and began moving toward him. Everyone stared, wondering what was happening. With great difficulty, I continued moving forward until I finally reached him. The whole synagogue watched in silence, wondering what would happen next.
“Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” (Luk. 13:12)
He laid His hand on me, and I felt power pass through my body. In that moment, I experienced a wonderful deliverance and healing. My body changed at once; I could stand upright like everyone else. It was truly amazing. Filled with joy, I praised the Lord at the top of my voice.
Are you under the bondage of devil and could not walk upright? Is life bent and painful? Is it going on for more than 18 years? Are you crawling? Ashamed? You have hope – Come, HE is calling and get touched, get healed. WALK UPRIGHT WITH JOY.