Page 14 - Living Light 89

PRAYER FOR TODAY
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Monday June 9 - The voice of the sceptic
“As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.” Mark 4:4
Jesus explains to his disciples that some seed, if it falls on the path, never gets to produce a crop because it is eaten by the birds before it can take root. As I write this, I am aware of the bird table outside, where lots of birds are greedily eating the seeds put out for them. The pigeons below eat up any seeds that the smaller birds drop. The bird feeders are full of seeds that would give me an enormous harvest if planted in the garden, but that doesn’t happen because the birds eat them first!
Jesus says that the seed is like the Word of God. The world is full of the truth of God – in creation, in nature, in the Bible and in the lives of Jesus’ followers. But there are also many voices that drown that truth: “God is not real”, “God doesn’t care”, “Jesus is irrelevant today”, and so many other sceptical arguments. Some people initially respond positively to the message of Jesus, but then allow unbelief from the devil to persuade them otherwise.
How will you and I stand up to the voices of unbelief? Later on in Mark’s gospel, a desperate man says to Jesus: “Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Jesus’ response was immediate. Perhaps that is a good honest prayer for us when others try to dissuade us.
Lord Jesus, there are still so many things I don’t understand, but I believe; please help my unbelief! Amen.
Tuesday June 10 - When trouble comes...
“Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.” Mark 4:5
When we first meet Jesus and start to follow him, life can be very joyful and exciting. Maybe you saw a miracle or heard an amazing sermon and responded. The Bible starts to come alive; your church fellowship is rewarding and you love worshipping with other believers. We grow apace in faith!
Jesus wisely warns that “in this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33) and it is at this point that we can discover how to put roots down and become strong in faith. If hearts are hardened by trials – and many are – we may be tempted to walk away from Jesus. However, if we turn to Jesus when in trouble, and trust him even though we don’t understand (Proverbs 3:5-6), Jesus is true to his promise to never leave us or abandon us, and he provides the Holy Spirit as our comforter in trouble.
My father retired after a fruitful life of service to the Lord and then died unexpectedly and suddenly. My mother, who had been looking forward to a life in retirement with him was deeply shocked, but remembered this verse in Proverbs 3 and clung on to Jesus through her grief. She went on to have a fruitful ministry in retirement and is still alive and praying at the age of 99!
Father, I don’t understand when and why bad things happen. Help me to trust that you will bring me through. Thank you Jesus for promising to be with me, which makes all the difference! Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY