Bible League: Living His Word "Don't be afraid. Just have faith."The leader of a synagogue named Jairus came to Jesus and pleaded fervently, "My little daughter is dying . . . Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live" (Mark 5:23). Jesus went with him, but on the way messengers came and told them that his daughter had died. Jesus must have sensed the fear that came over Jairus and in response He spoke the words of our verse for today: "Don't be afraid. Just have faith." Like Jairus, we may have to deal with problems that can cause real fear to come into our lives. Like Jairus, it could be a health issue of a family member. It could be our own health issue. It could be a business or financial issue that causes the fear. It could be a legal issue that threatens us. It could be anything. In this dispensation fear can arise from problems in any area of life. When these problems and issues come up and fear tries to take control of us, we may have no idea of what to do. All seems lost. The roof has caved in. Everything we tried to do about it failed. We ask the Lord, "What do I do now?" We ask, but without really expecting an answer. The Lord, however, always has an answer. The Lord always answers each and every one of us the same way every time. He always answers with the two commands of our verse for today. First of all, He says, "Don't be afraid." Fear is an emotion. It arises within us as a response to problematic situations. It can only arise within us, however, when our hearts are filled with unbelief. When we don't believe that God will help, fear has its way with us. That's why the Lord always adds the second command to the first: "Just have faith." When we have faith, when we choose to put into practice the faith the Lord has given us, fear has to go and we are able to enter the rest of the Lord (Hebrews 4:3). Jairus must have obeyed the commands because he allowed Jesus to enter his home and Jesus raised his daughter from the dead. If you want the Lord to help you deal with your problem, then do likewise. Don't be afraid. Just have faith. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingEzekiel 43, 44 Ezekiel 43 -- The Returning of the Glory of God into the Temple; The Altar and Offerings NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Ezekiel 44 -- The East Gate Assigned Only to the Prince; Ordinances for the Levites NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 2 Peter 2 2 Peter 2 -- False Prophets NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn't share the faith of those who listened to God.Insight The Israelites of Moses' day illustrate a problem facing many who fill our churches today. They know a great deal about Christ, but they do not know him personally—they don't combine their knowledge with faith. Challenge Let the Good News about Christ benefit your life. Believe in him and then act on what you know. Trust in Christ and do what he says. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Revelation 12:7 Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.War always will rage between the two great sovereignties until one or other be crushed. Peace between good and evil is an impossibility; the very pretence of it would, in fact, be the triumph of the powers of darkness. Michael will always fight; his holy soul is vexed with sin, and will not endure it. Jesus will always be the dragon's foe, and that not in a quiet sense, but actively, vigorously, with full determination to exterminate evil. All his servants, whether angels in heaven or messengers on earth, will and must fight; they are born to be warriors--at the cross they enter into covenant never to make truce with evil; they are a warlike company, firm in defence and fierce in attack. The duty of every soldier in the army of the Lord is daily, with all his heart, and soul, and strength, to fight against the dragon. The dragon and his angels will not decline the affray; they are incessant in their onslaughts, sparing no weapon, fair or foul. We are foolish to expect to serve God without opposition: the more zealous we are, the more sure are we to be assailed by the myrmidons of hell. The church may become slothful, but not so her great antagonist; his restless spirit never suffers the war to pause; he hates the woman's seed, and would fain devour the church if he could. The servants of Satan partake much of the old dragon's energy, and are usually an active race. War rages all around, and to dream of peace is dangerous and futile. Glory be to God, we know the end of the war. The great dragon shall be cast out and forever destroyed, while Jesus and they who are with him shall receive the crown. Let us sharpen our swords tonight, and pray the Holy Spirit to nerve our arms for the conflict. Never battle so important, never crown so glorious. Every man to his post, ye warriors of the cross, and may the Lord tread Satan under your feet shortly! Daily Light on the Daily Path Romans 5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;1 Corinthians 15:19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. 1 Peter 4:12,13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; • but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 2 Corinthians 6:10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Acts 5:41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Habakkuk 3:17,18 Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, • Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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