In His faithfulness, my faith flourishes

Saturday, February 5, 2011
Devotions: Ps 23, 27, 75, 76; Isa 57:3-13; Gal 5:25-6:10; Mk 9:14-29

YHWH is my Shepherd, and I am well. He gives me rest in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my sould. He guides me in righteous paths for His name's sake. Even if I walk through the valley of the darkest shadow—the shadow of death—I will fear no evil, for God is with me. Lord, Your rod and staff comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will attend me all my days, and I will live in God's house forever. YHWH is my Light and my Salvation. I fear nothing. He cares for me when evildoers assail me. Though an army oppose me, I have confidence, for YHWH will give me a home in His house forever. I want to be where I can contemplate the beauty and majesty of my God. I want to praise him with all my might for ever. Teach me Your ways, Lord, and lead me on a level path. I believe I will see God's goodness while I am still alive; meanwhile, I wait upon the Lord; I am strong, and my heart is encouraged as I wait upon YHWH. He will judge all at the time He determines; He will frustrate the boastful and exalt the downtrodden. God alone is Judge; in the Lord's hand there is a cup with foaming wine, well-mixed. But I will rejoice forever, singing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the righteous will be exalted.

God's prophet challenged the ungodly with all their offenses and their faithlessness toward YHWH. Only those who take refuge in YHWH will be saved; they will possess the land and inherit God's holy mountain.

Paul exhorts the Galatians: If we live by the Spirit, let us walk by the Spirit. Let us not have self-conceit; let us not provoke one another or envy one another. If a brother is overtaken in a trespass, let thouse who are spiritiual restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Bear one another's burdens and thus fulfill Christ's law. If anybody thinks he is something special, he deceives himself. Let each person test his own work; then, if he boasts, he has reason in himself to do so. Each person will have to cary his own load. Let those who are taught the word share all good things with the one who teachers. Don't be deceived. God is not mocked; what one sows, he will reap. Whoever sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh; and whoever sows from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to the family of believers.

As Jesus, Peter, James and John returned from the Mount of Transfiguration, they were met by a great crowd, including scribes arguing with Jesus' other disciples. The crowd thronged to Jesus and He asked His followers, 'What are you discussing with them?' One of the crowd answered Him: 'Teacher, I brought my son to You, for he is possessed by a dumb spirit. It dashes him to the ground; he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.' Jesus answered, 'O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long must I bear with you? Bring the boy to Me.' And they did so; when the spirit saw Jesus it threw the boy to the ground and he rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked his father, 'How long has he had this?' 'From childhood,' the father answered.'It has often cast him into the fire and into the water to destroy him; but if You can do anything, have pity on us and help us.' Jesus said to him, '"If you can!" Look, all things are possible to anyone who believes.' And the father immediately cried out, 'I believe! Help my unbelief!' As the crowd starting running toward them, Jesus acted quickly; He rebuked the unclean spirit, 'You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again.' The spirit cried out and convulsed the boy terribly, but came out; and the boy was like a corpse. Most of the onlookers said, 'He is dead.' But Jesus took his hand and lifted him up, and the boy arose. Later, when Jesus had entered the house, His disciples questioned Him: 'Why couldn't we cast it out?' He answered, 'This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.' [And some old manuscripts add, '...and fasting.']