Daily Reading: Mark 5
Scripture Focus: And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:19)
Devotional Thought: Just when we feel like we've got Jesus figured out, he goes and does something unexpected!
That's what happened to the man who was delivered from demon possession in the tombs. As Jesus was preparing to depart from his region, the man begs him for permission to board the boat with Jesus, "that he might be with him." Jesus did not permit him, but instead told him, "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." The man obeyed and began to tell everyone in the Decapolis, and everyone marveled.
Jesus had many followers, including his twelve closest followers who went everywhere with him. These are men who had dropped everything in their lives to follow Jesus when he called. So why not this man? Jesus had other plans for him! Although the man wanted to be physically near Jesus, he was content to stay and be used of the Lord in unexpected ways.
Are we as malleable to the will of God? There are times in every believer’s life when God’s plan does not line up with ours. Do we react with the same obedience as the healed man in this account, or do we stubbornly try to go about things in our own way? The healed man was effective in his testimony because it was what Jesus had called him to do. And we will be effective for the Kingdom only if we are obedient to the call of Jesus in our lives, even if it’s not what we would have chosen for ourselves.
-Jenny
Prayer: Lord, we ask you for the wisdom to discern your will for our lives. We acknowledge that without you, we can never be effective for your Kingdom. Please help us to be accepting when you are calling us to a task or a ministry that we would not have chosen, and empower us through your Spirit to accomplish your purposes.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 4.1-8
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah 3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah 5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” 7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
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