Category: reflections

His son was a hopeless case, or so it seemed. Mark’s Gospel reports that the boy had a spirit that not only prevented him from speaking, but threw him to the ground, causing him to foam at the mouth and grind his teeth. Jesus’ disciples could do nothing. Why should this desperate father hope for a better outcome with Jesus? He told the master:

If you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us (Mark 9:22, NRSV).

Jesus took pity on them, gently chiding the father for his shaky confidence, reminding him that belief was essential for deliverance. Then, in some of the most memorable words of the Gospel, the man replied:

I believe; help my unbelief!

It might have been the son convulsing on the ground, but in a real sense the father’s faith was also “on the ground.” Life had knocked it flat on its face.

Then Jesus intervened. That day, son and father left as changed individuals, both able to stand (v. 27).

Most of us at one time or another find ourselves in the role of that dad. We want to believe that God cares so much that He knows the number of hairs on our head. (For some, that’s not such a feat!) We want to trust, to believe that – in the words of the old “Imperials” song –

       “He didn’t bring us this far, to leave us;

       He didn’t teach us to swim to let us drown.

       He didn’t build his  home in us to move away.

       He didn’t lift us up to let us down.”

We believe, but unbelief is knocking at the door. At those times, it helps me if I review the blessings of God. What has God done in the past that gives me confidence He’ll come through in the present?

Father and son left differently than they came. Jesus intervened. Let’s trust in His loving intervention in our lives today.

———————————–

Reflections based on Scripture for Day 25, Cambridge Daily Reading Bible, 1995

Suffice it to say, it was not one of Peter’s best moments. Jesus had just explained that the race God asked them to run would be grueling:

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again (Mark 8:31, NRSV).

What was Jesus saying? Hadn’t Peter just confessed that Jesus was the “Messiah”? Didn’t he know that the mashiach, the Anointed One of God, would re-establish David’s throne? Why this sudden talk of doom and gloom? Surely, he had the story all wrong! So Peter did what he had to do. He “rebuked” Jesus (v. 32).

Peter was not expecting to be rebuked in return. Jesus thundered: “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things” (v. 33).

Jesus insisted that when he speaks, his sheep recognize his voice, and they follow (John 10:27).  Likewise, Jesus knew the voice of his Father, and one thing was for sure: This was not his Father’s message coming from Peter’s lips.

We, too, must learn to discern, first by becoming accustomed to the Lord’s voice. Once we know the voice of the Good Shepherd, we won’t be easily fooled when the wolf tries to imitate it. There may even come a time when – like Jesus -we say out loud: “Satan, get lost!” When we resist the devil and his warped plan for us, he must flee (James 4:7).

Prayer

“Heavenly Father, teach me to know the voice of your Son. No matter the difficulty of the race you ask me to run, give me the power of your Holy Spirit, and I shall run it. Help me to discern the voice of the enemy, who is determined to detour me from your path, and give me the courage to always rebuke him. Through Christ I pray, AMEN.”

—————————————

Reflection based on Scripture for Day 23, Cambridge Daily Reading Bible, 1995

Stan Toler’s book title resonates with believers: God has never failed me, but He’s sure scared me to death a few times. Abraham surely thought as much when God ordered him:

“Take your son, your only son whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you” (Gen. 22:2, NRSV).

When Isaac asked his father where the sacrifice was, Abraham answered: “The LORD will provide” (v. 14). Traditionally, this is rendered as Jehovah Jireh. Before Abraham could bring down the knife upon his trusting son, the angel of the LORD called to him: “Do not lay your hand on the boy” (v. 12).  Caught in the thicket was a ram. Jehovah Jireh — the LORD provided.

Jesus, growing up as a boy in Nazareth, no doubt had many times heard the story of Abraham, Isaac and the ram.  The LORD who provides figures prominently in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).  God clothes the lilies of the field. Will God not clothe us? Jehovah Jireh – the LORD will provide.

This faith in our provider God must not result in laziness. We are still to be as industrious as ants (Proverbs 6:6). Yet at the end of the day, when we have done all that we can, we rest in the deep, abiding, providing love of God.

————————

Reflection is based on Scripture for Day 22, Cambridge Daily Reading Bible, 1995

Question:

How has God proven to be your provider? Share a story by replying to this post.