The Bible in 2020

Today’s reading

Deuteronomy 20-22; Mark 14:26-50

Selected Verses

And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” Deuteronomy 20:2-4

And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Mark 14:27-28

Reflections

Moses instructed the people of Israel about the proper sense of confidence in the Lord as they prepared to go into the Promised Land and face entrenched enemies. He did not tell them that they were the greatest army ever fielded nor that their enemies were a bunch of wimps. He promised that the Lord their God would go with them to fight for them and to give them the victory.

Jesus’ disciples also faced a daunting enemy, those opponents of the Lord who had conspired together to arrest Him and put Him to death. Jesus forewarned the disciples that they would fall away. He said their desertion would fulfill Scripture. They objected. Peter asserted that they would die with Jesus. All gave a hearty “amen.”

Of course, these were empty promises. But Jesus also pointed them beyond their failure - to His resurrection, He would meet them in Galilee.

Think about it

The key to remaining faithful under extreme pressure is to focus on God, His presence, His power, and His faithfulness. He will be with us in the worst of trials. He will never leave us or forsake us. We may waver. We may fall away, like the disciples. But He will never fail us. He is gracious to His fearful sheep.

What scary trial do you face now? Are you confident of His presence? If you have failed to trust Him do you know that He welcomes back His frightened sheep and defeated children? Paul wrote to Timothy, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1). Be confident in Him. In Christ, there is grace to face your toughest battles and grace to cover your greatest failures.

© 2017 John A Carroll Used by permission

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