Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Mark 4 and Psalm 55

Mark 4 records four of Jesus’ parables about the Kingdom of God, each teaching us in a different way about the power of God’s Word to bring about the growth of the Kingdom. And then the chapter ends with Jesus miraculously calming a storm with the power of just His words. The miracle demonstrates the power of His word over nature, and it invites us to consider what might happen to our lives, our families, our Churches and our world if we should receive the Word of Jesus like the good soil of the first parable! The wind and waves had no choice but to submit to His word. We have that choice.

Two verses that really struck me in my devotion today were:

²⁴ ‘Consider carefully what you hear,’ he continued. ‘With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more. ²⁵ Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.’

In context, Jesus is saying that if we will take His Word seriously (when we read and study it or hear it read, preached or taught), and if we will meditate on it and consider its truth and its application seriously, God will respond by blessing us with revelation, insight and understanding. He will give to us in the same measure of focus and intensity as we apply. But if we don’t take it seriously, even the little bit of knowledge and insight we might have will gradually fade away and we will be left spiritually impoverished.

Life application: Which will it be for you today? Perhaps now is a good time to re-read the daily readings with careful consideration and really ask the Holy Spirit to give you revelation.