Have you ever had a need, but couldn’t express it?

We all know what that feels like. The desperate struggle to try and figure it out for ourselves, and our helplessness in explaining it to others. I believe there was great distress in the possessed man Jesus met: “Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute…” Lk. 11:14.

Here was a man trapped in a voiceless body unable to explain his need to anyone! What a miserable existence this must have been. I cannot even imagine the internal turmoil he must have suffered day in and day out, unable to communicate. But then he met Jesus, who knew what he had need of even though he couldn’t express it or explain it. Jesus, who was able to understand his need even perhaps when he himself didn’t. Jesus, who was able to bring healing to one who must have been so hurting for someone to understand and reach out to him.

Maybe you can’t put your finger on it…maybe you can’t find the right words to express or explain it, but deep down inside you know you have a need that is still unmet. Draw near to Jesus; he can see the need; He knows what needs to be done to meet the need. You don’t need your words, you need a Word from Him. Confess to Him today, “Jesus, my deepest need today is need of You. Please come and meet my need. And when He does — don’t forget Him, live for Him, praise Him and direct others to Him. That’s what people who have had their needs met by Jesus do: “…When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed.” Luke 11:14b

Dr. William Burnham is pastor of Point of Grace Church in Covington. He can be reached at burnhamw@charter.net.