Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion is Mark 5:21-23.

 

^“21  When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore.

                                                 

When I read Scripture each day in its order, it amazes me how it logically follows the preceding Scripture.  It amazes me how it uses and builds upon my prior devotions.  It amazes me how it is just what I need for that day.  It is like God wrote it fresh that day just for me.  The Scriptures are like fresh bread.  Yesterday, I walked through the bakery section of Publix grocery store, and they were baking fresh bread at the time, and the aroma smelled so very, very good.  The Word of God “smells” like freshly baked bread.  Break open the Word of God each day.  Read it and Write about it each day, so that you and others can smell it.

 

As I continue to think about the parents and families of Blake and Josh, those two very good friends of my son who died this past Monday, this Scripture helps me to pray for them.  I noticed five points that are just in time to use.

 

First, Jarius fell at the feet of Jesus.  There are times when I want something so much that I feel the need to likewise prostrate myself before God in prayer by laying down face to the carpet.  I did so this morning praying for the comfort and peace of the parents.

 

Second, “implore” means to call out or pray earnestly.  It comes from “Latin implorare, from in- + plorare to cry out”.  Click here: implore – Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary  From the same dictionary, “earnest” means “a serious and intent mental state”.  This is how we should pray.  Often in Scripture, you will see “cry out”.  When I did a keyword search of that phrase, it amazed me that there were 68 entries!  One example is Psalm 34:17:  “The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.”

 

Third, Jarius is very specific about his need (“My little daughter is at the point of death.”) and about his request (“come and lay Your hands on her”).  Too often, we are too general and too verbose about our prayers.  Remember the “KISS” principle.  “Keep it simple, stupid.”     “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”  Matthew 6:7

                                              

Fourth, the use of “please” in prayers is always appropriate.  Enough said.

 

Fifth, have faith!  Jarius showed his faith by his statement that if Jesus comes and lays His hands on her, then “she will get well and live”. 

 

Remember we also just read about Jesus “calming and stilling” the seas?!  Just like Jesus can “calm and still” the seas, Jesus can “calm and still” our grieving hearts. That gives us faith that Jesus can also “calm and still” even the hearts of parents who lost their son. 

                                           

We will later read in Mark Chapter 5 that Jesus raised the dead daughter of Jarius to life.  That gives us faith that Jesus can and did raise the two sons, Blake and Josh, to eternal life in heaven.  

 

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7 

 

It is not logical, nor even possible to our human minds that Jesus can “calm or still” the seas, but Jesus did it.  It is not logical, nor even possible to our human minds that Jesus can “calm or still” the hearts of grieving family and friends, but Jesus did it as a result of your prayers for at least my son John.  The peace of God truly “passeth all understanding” in the sense that it is not logical, nor even possible to our human minds that God can give peace and comfort to parents who have lost their son, but God can do so.   

 

So, we will continue to pray for the parents, family, and friends of Blake and Josh like Jarius’ example:  prostrate, earnestly, specifically, “pleasingly”, and “faithfully”.  Thank you.