Tag: Mark Harris

As we continue to move through the darkness of conflicting opinions about the effect that this pandemic is having upon our world’s health and economic stability, fear and panic have been the dominate driver of many people’s responses and actions. The more we allow fear and panic to drive us, the more paralyzed we become. Not only must we walk in understanding of the power of God but we must understand His heart, as well.

Read the Story Mark 1:40–45

The man begged Jesus to heal him saying, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus filled with compassion touched him saying, “I am willing. Be clean.” Immediately, the leprosy left the man and he was cured.

This man understood the power of Jesus but failed to understand the heart of Jesus. Because he didn’t understand the heart of Jesus he questioned Jesus’ willingness. Jesus transformed this man’s faith by touching him with compassion and assuring him, I am willing. Faith is transformed not by some mental exercise of trying harder to believe something, but rather by a confident trust in the love and commitment of God. Whatever circumstances we may endure in this present darkness, we can trust God’s commitment and love. He is not only powerful enough to see us through our darkness, He is willing to give us what we need to thrive in the midst of it.

The Apostle John, writing to Christians near the end of the first century who were facing great times of persecution, addressed their fears in I John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Just as light dispels darkness, so likewise love dispels fear. When we understand God’s love for us and His commitment to carry us through difficult times, fear will be overwhelmed with confident trust produced by our security in God’s faithfulness and love.

Activity:
Using a Bible concordance list several verses, meaningful to you, that assure you of God’s love which in turn gives you a security that calms your fears and enhances your faith.

One of the most unlikely people in the early days of Christianity to advance the Gospel was Saul of Tarsus. He not only gave his approval of the stoning death of Stephen but he relentlessly sought to arrest and kill the followers of Christ. Then, one day on a mission to Damascus to carry out his plan to persecute the Christians he encountered the Light of Christ.

Read the story Acts 9:1-30

Saul, a zealous persecutor of the early church, was intercepted by the light of Jesus, while on his way to Damascus to arrest the Christians in that city. This encounter with Christ’s Light resulted in a total transformation of Saul the persecutor turning him into Paul the Apostle of Jesus Christ. The Jews in Damascus were astonished that the one who previously had raised havoc among the Christian community was now proving that Jesus was the Christ with great power and persuasion.

Several years later when Paul was standing trial before Governor Festus and King Agrippa, Paul related the details of his encounter with Christ the Light. The brightness of the light blinded Saul and the voice of Jesus spoke, “I appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I am sending you to open eyes and to turn people from darkness to light…” (Acts 26:16 – 18) This man who had been an operative of the kingdom of darkness became an agent of God’s kingdom of Light establishing churches throughout Asia Minor and writing 2/3rd of the New Testament. Only when we focus on the Light of Jesus instead of the darkness of circumstances are we transformed into useful vessels in God’s kingdom.

Activity:
Each day, for the next 5 days, ask Jesus to shine His light upon your dark circumstances and to show you how He can use it to transform your faith and life.

The title of Psalm 56 reads, “A miktan of David when the Philistines had seized him at Gath.” It was a dark time of David fleeing for his life as Saul pursued him to kill him (56:1=2). Not only was Saul trying to kill David, but in fleeing from Saul, David went to Gath, a city of the Philistines, which was the home town of the giant and fearsome warrior Goliath whom David had killed in a previous encounter. David thought Achish, the king of Gath, would protect him from Saul. But David had miscalculated the hatred and wrath of the town’s people toward him for defeating their hero. David pretended to be insane so that the king would send him away. (I Sam 21:13)

Read the story I Samuel 21:10-15 & Psalm 56

In David’s deep distress he cries out to God for mercy. While he is afraid, he resolves to trust God and not allow fear to control him. Fearful suggestions are persistent so David reminds himself two more times of his resolve to trust God (56:4 & 11). He sums up this experience with the concluding verse Psalm 56:13. “For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.”

In the midst of his darkness, David initially tried to handle it on his own. But it didn’t take long for him to figure out that he needed God’s mercy and deliverance. He resolved to trust God and he resisted the fear that tried to dominate him. Trusting the Light instead of fearing the darkness delivers us from a living death and keeps our feet from stumbling.

Activity:
Memorize Proverbs 3:5 & 6 “Trust in the Lord will all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

The feelings of hopelessness can be debilitating and devastating. David’s hope was being challenged with feelings of being misunderstood (Ps. 43:1) and sometimes even feelings of being forsaken (Ps. 43:2). He wondered why he had to endure so much uncertainty and why he had to endure it for so long. He longed to experience the presence of God.

Read the story Psalm 42:1-11 & Psalm 43:1-5

Psalm 43 is believed to be a continuation of Psalm 42. In Psalm 42 David expresses a driving hunger for the presence of God (42:1 & 2). And he reminisces about times of joy and festivity in the house of God. In 42:9 & 10 he expresses bewilderment about why he feels abandoned and why there seems to be no end to his enemies’ oppression.

In the midst of these dark circumstances and feelings, David asks God to send His Light of truth to shine into his darkness so that it would guide him back into intimacy and fellowship with God (43:3). He recognized that in the Light of God’s presence there is always hope and that God’s light dispels depression and fear (43:5). In the midst of being downcast and discouraged, David focused on the light of hope instead of focusing on the darkness of his circumstance. He determined that in spite of the darkness, he would praise his Savior and God (43:5)

Activity:
Say a prayer asking the Lord to shine His light into your darkness and then make a deliberate choice to praise and worship God no matter how you may feel. His light will dispel depression and fear and give you hope.

In today’s Psalms, David shares a time of darkness in his experience when he felt criticized and rejected by those who had been his supporters and friends. His son Absalom had conspired to usurp David’s throne and dispose of him as king.

Read the story Psalm 3:1-8 & Psalm 4:1-8

David’s peace in the midst of darkness – Psalm 3:5 & 6 with Psalm 4:8
“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.”
I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

As hurtful and as painful as David’s circumstances were, he had peace in the midst of it because he understood the commitment of God’s presence. Even though many were telling him God wouldn’t deliver him, David had faith that God heard him and would answer his prayers. In the face of hurtful comments and rejection, David took delight in the light of God’s face shining upon him. (4:6)

David’s peace and sleep was a sleep of holy confidence in knowing the commitment of God. David didn’t necessarily know how it was all going to end, but he knew he could trust the commitment of the One who held his future in His Almighty hands. We may not know how this present darkness is going to end, but we do know Who holds us and our future in His loving hands.

Activity:
Tonight when you lie down to sleep say a prayer of thanksgiving rejoicing in God’s commitment to you and your future. Allow God’s peace to fill you with security and joy.