SCRIPTURE: Mark 13:9-13
It’s been almost 2000 years since Jesus came and restored God’s kingdom?
Why does the world seem so much like hell still?
Here Jesus suggests some reasons for His delay:
— so that we can witness to governors and kings on account of Jesus
— so that the kingdom message of Jesus (good news/gospel) may reach all nations
It seems that Jesus wants us to continue what he began.
We want Jesus to bring an army (or snap His fingers) and make everything better.
But this is not God’s way, this is not how it worked for Jesus, and this is not how it is for us.
We are sent by God, like Jesus, to show people what God’s way and world is like.
Like Jesus, we are betrayed, mistreated, ridiculed… as we live out God’s love in deed and word.
We can be sure that He will help us as we do this, with His Spirit’s power.
And we can be sure that if we stick it out to the end, like Jesus did, we too will be restored.
Following Jesus is not the easy way, but it is the only way – God’s way – of restoring His kingdom of love.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, it was not easy for You, why should I expect it to be easy for me. Help me be faithful and strong, like You, to live Your way to the very end, until all people know that You are God.
Observation/Application
The first words of today’s reading reminds me of the song “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” In all of life I must be on guard doing first things first – God’s Way. And when I do, I have His promise that I do not have to worry because He will take care of me. What a promise. What a security! He will tell me what to say. No worry! If I rely upon myself, all would be loosing. Confide in God and He will take care of me.
The Word of God remains! History has shown that His messengers have gone to glory through persecution, trials, torture, death and yet His Word stands firm. Heroes of the faith they were and they stood firm to the end. God’s Word still stand secure and His champion I must be this day.
Prayer
Help me this day Lord to be an instrument of Your peace.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Chorus
Leaning, leaning,
(Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus)
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
(Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus)
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Chorus
Leaning, leaning,
(Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus)
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
(Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus)
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Chorus
Leaning, leaning,
(Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus)
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
(Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus)
Leaning on the everlasting arms.