For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Mark 13
Look at v. 5-8. Why did Jesus start with this warning? How can you avoid being deceived? In this chapter, Jesus talks to a few of His apostles about things that are yet to come. Like most prophecy in the Bible, I suspect Jesus’ words have more than one fulfillment. And, like most prophecy in the Bible, it leaves me scratching my head. About all I can get out of it is that things will be bad, deception will run rampant, and we don’t know when the end will come. Which leaves the practical application at hold fast, do not be deceived, and be ready at all times.
In the middle of all of this head scratching verbiage, however, verse 20 caught my attention. In verse 20, Jesus suddenly switches from speaking in future tense to past tense. Odd. As He is talking about how bad things will be, He makes this statement: “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has shortened them.” (Mark 13:20). Jesus says it as if it has already happened.
I find that encouraging. It reinforces to me that no matter how bad things get, we can be assured that God has a plan and that His plan will not fail. And when I consider that God exists outside of time, I realize that in His eyes it already has happened. The thing is, God hasn’t just seen the movie, He wrote it. And He wrote it so that we will one day be His people and He will be our God.
2 Sam. 9-10
This war began with a misunderstanding of motives. What was David’s motive? When have you had conflict that came from misunderstood motives? What can you do to avoid those conflicts? People do foolish things when they come into power. Following is a short list of some of the stupid behaviors I see.
- They become instantly afraid of losing their new found power and become suspicious of everybody.
- They feel a need to prove themselves and immediately start making unnecessary changes.
- In a hasty desire to start demonstrating their power, they ‘lord it over’ people without considering the consequences of their behavior.
Hanun, the new Ammonite king in this chapter, was probably guilty of all three stupid behaviors. Granted, he was working off some really bad advice, but did he learn nothing from his father who preceded him? Even if he was suspicious of David’s motives, what good did he think would come from humiliating David’s men the way he did? I say, power is the tonic of fools. We would do well to leave it in the hands of God where it belongs, understanding that we are merely instruments through which He wields it.