Before we talk about Bartimaeus, let's highlight some servants of God who also faced critical situations. Hannah, whose life lesson should always be remembered by us when our hope runs out, understood that her time had come, even though everyone discouraged her. She prayed with all her strength to the point of being considered drunk (1 Samuel 1:1-19). Samson asked that, at least this once, his strength would return (Judges 16:28). David reached the end of his escape, but when it was best to surrender, God caused the Philistines to invade Judah, and he remained alive (1 Samuel 29).

Hannah's perseverance must be emulated when it seems that there is no hope for us; after all, her cry made Eli bless her. Something interesting in this narrative catches our attention and fascinates us: the priest did not pray to reverse that woman's infertility, but, knowing that her faith had prompted her to pray in that way, he simply blessed her. Today's priests must be connected to Heaven in order to discern how to proceed with each request they receive.

The Bible records a divine promise in which God clearly says that He will answer those who cry out to Him: “Thus says the Lord who made it, the Lord who formed it to establish it (the Lord is His name): ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ (Jeremiah 33.2,3). Through this promise, we have the right to pray and be answered with the announcement of great and mighty things. Use this right!

As we meditate on the base verse of this message, we will see that Bartimaeus cried out, and many rebuked him, telling him to be quiet. It is interesting to notice that this order did not come from the Master, but from the people around Him. Some followed Him out of curiosity, to witness the healing of people; others, like the Pharisees, to confirm whether they were really healed or if there was some trick involved. However, who would convince Bartimaeus to be quiet, if he was obeying what he felt was his right? Cry out and believe!

Hannah understood that this was her opportunity to be the target of God's power, since, in the eyes of men, her hope was gone. Now, didn't the Lord make women to be mothers? That barrenness did not come from God, but from the author of sin, the devil. Would she be known as barren forever if her cry was not answered? Well, that was the moment to free herself from the idea that she belonged to the devil and not to God.

We must turn to the Scriptures. The Father does not prevent anyone from experiencing the fulfillment of His purpose. Religiosity is dangerous and leads many to say things that offend the Lord, citing probable causes for the work of darkness in people. Only the Bible is able to present the reasons for the scourges that afflict people. Be careful, those who open themselves to the devil will be visited by him!

Because she prayed vehemently, Hannah was seen as drunk by Eli, the priest. However, he changed his mind with her explanation. Before God, David felt like a poor man, but he cried out to the Lord and was heard (Psalm 34:6). Use this prerogative given by the Most High to those who love Him: cry out to Him truly and you will be heard. To Him, we are all equal!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares.