I'm Beginning to Understand

There are some great stories in Mark 6.  I was reading this chapter today and some points jumped out to me.  


First of all, Jesus sends out the apostles and gives them authority to teach and over evil spirits.  "They went out and preached that people should repent.  They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them."  (vs. 12,13).  Then, after they have sought out a solitary place, the crowds find them and want to hear from Jesus.  He teaches them, and then the disciples decide the crowd should be sent away to find food. "But he answered, 'You give them something to eat.'" (vs. 37)  The apostles protest that it would cost too much to feed the crowd. Jesus answers, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see." (vs. 38)  Of course, they fed 5,000+ people that day with 5 loaves and 2 fish - and had leftovers!


Immediately, Jesus sends the apostles back out on the water to cross the lake.  He is walking past them when they see him, and "they thought he was a ghost.  They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified." (vs. 49-50) "They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened."  (vs. 51b-52)


Let's recap: the apostles teach, heal, and cast out demons; they see him feed 5,000+ people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish; they see him walk on water - but their hearts were hardened.  It's easy for me to read this and think "what kind of morons were these guys?"  But then I catch myself and think, "how many times have I see God working in my life, but I can't put 2 and 2 together and understand His goodness and love because my heart is hardened?"


Lord, open the eyes of my heart so I can see where You are moving and working so I can understand Your great love and power.  "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.  I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms."  Ephesians 1:18-20 (NLT)

Is He listening?

These verses really encouraged me this morning in my quiet time.

"To you I call, O Lord my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me.  For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.  Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help; as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.  Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."  Psalm 28:1-2, 6,7

I am so encouraged to know that God hears my prayers and my cries for mercy.  He is our strength and our shield.  Trust in Him.  Be joyful.  Give thanks to Him in song.