"For they
considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened."
(Mark 6:52)
It is almost encouraging to read this of the disciples. Jesus
was patient to teach and mold them when their hearts were hard. He did not give
up on them at this point, but continued to work in their hearts.
Thanks for sharing, Amanda! (smiles) I'd never thought of this verse in that way before, but it is encouraging to look at the disciples and know there's hope for us yet. :)
ReplyDelete"Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. ~ Isaiah 40:10-11
There is so much in these two verses that highlight similarities between the mightiness of God and the tenderness of God. The same arm that rules is the one that gathers the lambs. The same strong hand that commands the nations with an iron rod is the same hand that feeds His flock. The same God who will justly reward men according to their deeds, is the same God who gently leads us and carries us next to His heart. The gentleness of God beautifully revealed alongside the greatness of God.
~ Kenzi
Hey Amanda,
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how the smallest and seemingly not very encouraging verses the Lord can use to speak to our hearts. Thanks for the encouraging thought you shared.
Today I read the last 2 chapters of Mark, and there was one verse that the Lord brought to my attention.
Mark 15:46
"And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre."
The he in this verse (as I'm sure you know) is Joseph of Arimathea. I know I've read this before, and I'm sure someone has pointed this out before, but he went and bought fine linen to wrap the body of Jesus in. It wasn't something he already had, or just the cheapest thing he could find. Even though Jesus was dead, and as far as he knew that linen would rot in a tomb, he still honored the Lord with the BEST including giving up his own burial spot (as related in another Gospel). What a convicting picture of how the Lord deserves our BEST!!!
@ Kenzi,
ReplyDeleteAmen! What a beautiful verse that displays the amazing attributes of our God!!! Thank you for sharing!
~Amanda
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:13-14)
@ Janell,
ReplyDeleteAgree. :)
Wow, what convicting thoughts from Mark 15:46! How often do we hold back our best from God - as if He couldn't reward us for giving our all to Him? What a great example that I've never noticed before.
~Amanda
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
(Psalms 4:3)
Ah SO encouraging. Jesus was patient with Peter, *all the disciples*, and God with the children of Israel over and over and over and over and over and over and over. Thank you for this short but NEEDFUL reminder!!
ReplyDeleteEncouraged my heart :) <3 <3
@ Katie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that you were encouraged by the verse. :) I sure was! I love how God places those little glimpses of His nature to encourage us when we're struggling.
~Amanda
"Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7