Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Mark 1:32, 35, ” At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. “

Background

We went to see the movie Soul Surfer this weekend. It is the story of the thirteen-year-old girl, Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm to a shark bite. Bethany was an accomplished surfer, and after losing her arm and 60% of her blood, she returned to the water to surf again just one month later. In the scenes that precede the shark attack, Bethany is shown worshiping God with her family and participating in a youth group Bible study. One of the verses quoted by the youth leader was Jeremiah 29:11, where God states His plans of peace and hope. But after Bethany loses her arm, she asks her youth leader how could this be God’s plan for her? Where was the hope and prosperity for a surfer with one arm? She had gone from the peace and joy of winning competitions to the utter hopelessness of just learning how to function with one arm. But Jesus was there for her. She had known the sweet fellowship of Jesus early in the morning, before daylight when all was calm and peaceful. But now, after nightfall, with the sick and the demons filling her mind, she would choose again to trust in Christ. She would do what our Savior bids us all to do.

Application

For we will all have days that start off peaceful and devoted. But it is what comes to us throughout the day that challenges us. When the sun has set, and our sick hearts and self- possessed desires have run their course, will we again bring them to Him? Will we believe that He has plans for us, that we are in His thoughts, that He forgives us? Will His love be enough for what we need? When the image I have of myself is destroyed as if bitten by a shark, will I seek His face before daylight and let Him show me how He sees me? You may do your best to keep things in check, but it’s going to happen, this collapsing of all things around you. But whatever you lose, let it remind you that He has not lost His arm. He still has you in His hands, whether in the dead of night or the break of dawn. So take what you have to Him, and receive what He has for you. It will be more than your arms can carry.

Charge

As we seek Him today, pray for God to draw you close even when things seem dark. Ask Him to strengthen your faith through whatever you encounter today.