Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 19, 2019
And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Mark 8:17
Before my husband Clark and I married, we worked at the same organization for a of couple years. During that time, I saw him now and then. But the thought that he would ever become my Mister never crossed my mind, which means that I saw him but I never really saw him. My guy was right there in front of me, and I didn’t even know it!
And honestly, even if I did know it (perhaps if the Lord had revealed it to me), I wouldn’t have eagerly accepted it because I wouldn’t have been ready to receive him. Although Clark is an amazing fit for me and I am so glad we married, he didn’t initially match my idea of the kind of guy who would become my mate.
This reminds me of how Jesus didn’t fit the disciple’s idea of who the Messiah should be.
In Luke 9:43-45 the Lord tells the disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” Then Scripture goes on to say, “But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.”
Why did they hear truth but not really hear it, just like I saw my husband but didn’t really see him? Some commentators believe it’s because the disciples had embraced the belief of the Jews that the Messiah would be prince and conqueror, that he would deliver their nation. And the idea of Jesus dying didn’t fit their idea of what they believed was right and good.
This is how it can be in our lives. We’ve got all kinds of perceptions and ideas of what is right and good about how our lives should unfold. So it often takes the Lord time to break through our pretenses and unbelief so He can reveal His will for us.
Everyone struggles with embracing God’s ways. It’s a part of the human condition. So, if we know we struggle with embracing God’s truth, if we admit we are often slow to receive His plan, and slow to perceive what He wants to teach us, then we will be in the right spiritual posture necessary to receive. That begins just by saying, “Lord, sometimes I am blind and cannot see what you want me to see and deaf so I cannot hear what you want me to hear. Help me to be open to your ways.”
And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today” (Luke 5:26).
Prayer
Lord, no matter how I feel about how you should work in my life, please help me to be open to your plan so that I can receive willingly from you. Amen.
Application
Take a look back at your life. Has the Lord brought about particular events that you would have been opposed to, but you can now clearly see that He knew what was right and good for you? Thank Him and keep it in mind to remain flexible to His leading.
Related Reading
Ephesians 4:18; Mark 8:17; Luke 8:25
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Often it takes time for the Lord to break through our pretenses and unbelief so He can reveal His will for us. #WisdomHunters #hearttoknow
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