Today’s devotion covers Mark 16:14-20 which covers the Great Commission: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” We will focus on verse 20.
“And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:20 (Emphasis added.)
How do we view the Great Commission? Do we view it as if the Lord has His arms folded waiting to see what we will do? Or, do we view the Great Commission as the Lord working with us?
It may help us to answer this question if we simply ask two questions:
1. Is it the Lord’s will that the Great Commission be fulfilled?
2. Does the Lord have authority over us, His disciples?
We all agree that it is the Lord’s will that the Great Commission be fulfilled. He commanded it as we seen in today’s Scripture. He empowered His disciples. “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. He prophesied that it would occur. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14
We also all agree that the Lord has authority over us, His disciples. The centurion recognized it, and so do we. “For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” Luke 7:8-9.
In conclusion, this all should greatly encourage us: “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 