Don't Stop Him Now

What do you do when God seems delayed?

What happens when you’ve prayed, believed, and trusted—only to watch your situation get worse before it gets better?

In Episode 6 of Season 2 of Keepers of the Light, Dylan Burcham takes a powerful look at the story of Jairus and his daughter from Mark chapter 5. Through this remarkable account, we discover what it means to trust God when circumstances seem impossible and how faith can survive even when hope appears lost.

As Jesus made His way to Jairus’ house, an unexpected interruption turned into a painful delay. Then came the devastating news: Jairus’ daughter had died. But in the middle of fear, grief, and disappointment, Jesus spoke words that still encourage believers today:

“Be not afraid, only believe.” — Mark 5:36 (KJV)

This episode is a reminder that God’s delays are not God’s denials, and that Jesus still has the final word over every situation.

🔥 Featured Scriptures include:

• Mark 5:21-43
• Mark 5:36
• Mark 5:41
• Luke 8:50

Whether you’re waiting on a breakthrough, facing discouraging news, or holding on to a promise from God, this message will strengthen your faith and remind you that Jesus is still working—even when the situation looks impossible.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:14

Praise the Lord, everybody, and welcome back to Keepers of the Light, the official podcast of Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church. As always, I'm your host, Dylan Bircham, and today we're going to dive deep into one of the most powerful stories in the entire ministry of Jesus. It's a story about desperation, a story about delay, a story about faith when everything seems to be lost. And if you've ever felt like God showed up late, this episode is for you. Because today we're going to talk about Jairus, a father whose daughter was dying, a man who risked his reputation, his position, and his pride to get to Jesus. And right in the middle of his miracle, everything seemed to have gotten worse. This story is found in Mark chapter 5, and I know this is a little bit different of an episode, but we're going to talk a little bit about the topic Don't Stop Him Now. Because somebody listening today is tempted to quit believing because of the circumstances around you, but I want to tell you today that God is not finished with you or your story. So let's set the scene. Jairus wasn't just anybody, he was a ruler of the synagogue, a respected man, a leader, a man with influence, and yet none of those things could help him now, because his little girl was dying. It's amazing how quickly life can remind us what really matters. Titles don't matter, money doesn't matter, status doesn't matter. When someone you love is hurting, all those other things begin to fade away. Mark chapter five and verse twenty-two says, And behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and when he saw him, he fell at his feet. Think about that. A ruler, a respected man falling at the feet of Jesus. Desperation has a way of bringing humility out in people. And we see that happen here. And one thing I love about this story is that Jesus immediately agrees to go. And Jesus goes. A delay. As Jesus is walking toward Jairus' home, a woman with an issue of blood touches his garment. And she receives her miracle. Now let's be clear. Her miracle matters. It's one of the most powerful stories in scripture, and the implications of it are so powerful. Her miracle definitely matters. Jesus cares about her. But what if you're Jairus in this situation? If you're him, this is probably frustrating. Because every second in his situation matters. If you're him, you have a daughter at home that is dying, and Jesus stops along the way. Can you imagine what was going through his mind? Hurry up. We don't have time for this. My daughter needs you. And that's where many of us live. We know that Jesus is moving, but we just don't understand the delay. We've prayed, we've believed, we've trusted God, and God seems to stop along the way somewhere else and for someone else. Imagine it like this. Imagine calling an ambulance because someone you love is in critical condition, and you hear the sirens, and you know that help is coming, and relief begins to flood your heart, but then you watch the ambulance stop somewhere else first. You don't understand why, and you don't understand what they're doing, and you only know what you're facing and how serious your situation is. And many people feel that way spiritually. You know God can help, you know that He is able, but He just seems to be helping somebody else while your situation only gets worse. Back to our story today. This this is where Jairus is at, because in the midst of the delay with the woman with the issue of blood, it happens. The news that he feared comes to his ears in Mark chapter 5 and verse 35. Thy daughter is dead. Why troublest thou the master any further? Can you imagine hearing those words? It's over. It's too late. There's no reason to keep believing, there's no reason to keep hoping, no reason to bother Jesus anymore. And that's exactly where the enemy wants people to be. At the place where hope dies, maybe not physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and mentally, the enemy loves to whisper that it's over. Give up. Nothing can change now, so that hope and excitement and expectation can wither away. But one of the most powerful verses in the story is what comes next. Jesus immediately responds in verse thirty-six, be not afraid, only believe. That's it. Five words. Be not afraid, only believe. Not because the circumstances looked good, and not because the report changed, not because the miracle had happened in that moment, but believe anyway. Faith isn't believing when everything makes sense. Faith is believing even when it doesn't. When Jesus arrives, everybody is mourning Jairus' daughter. Everybody has accepted the outcome. Everybody says that it's finished and it's over. But Jesus says in verse 39, the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed at him. They mocked him. Maybe they even thought he was crazy. Because what he saw was different than what they saw. People see dead ends, but Jesus sees opportunities. People see impossibilities, but Jesus sees miracles. People see graves, but Jesus sees resurrections. And then Jesus does something so incredible. He takes this little girl by the hand and he says, Talatha cumi, which means, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And immediately she got up. The miracle happened. It didn't happen when Jairus wanted it to happen. It didn't happen on his schedule. But exactly when Jesus arrived and spoke into her situation, did she rise up to her feet alive and well? Let's pray together. Thank you, Lord, for being the God who still works miracles in our lives. For every person listening who feels like their situation is too far gone, God, I wish you would remind them today that you specialize in impossible situations. Help us to trust you through the delays. Help us to trust you through disappointments. Help us to trust you when the report only gets worse while we're waiting. And teach us to hear your words today. Be not afraid, only believe. In Jesus' name. Amen. I wanted to go ahead and pray because I want to give you a small little exhortation before we end today's episode. Maybe you find yourself today in the middle of a delay. Maybe you have received a bad report. Maybe you're standing where Jirah stood. But I want you to remember this. The same Jesus that walked into that room still walks into impossible situations every single day. So don't stop praying. Don't stop believing. And whatever you do, don't stop him now. But don't be afraid. Only believe. Because when the time is right, Jesus can speak life into your situation, and what once seemed dead can rise up and live again. My name's Dylan Bircham. This has been Keepers of the Light. And until next time, keep the light burning.