Hello OCBC family. This week during my devotional I read the passage of Mark 6:7-12, “And he called the twelve and began to send out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in their belts – but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, ‘Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.”
In this passage I can see Jesus sending His disciples with nothing except a staff, which means that He is telling them that they can trust on Him, that He will provide for all their necessities; and He did. We can rest on His promises because they are faithful. Many times we do not understand His plans but we can be sure that He will fulfill His will in our lives. I recall the life of William Cowper, a pastor that was faithful to his church but with mental problems; he suffered from depressions.
He tried to kill himself several times because his depression was severe. His friend, John Newton, when he saw his situation, told William to write down poems, and lyrics for hymns. One of his most well-known hymns is “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” which gave him comfort and peace. This same hymn has been a blessing for many other believers through the centuries. Please, read the lyrics and use them as a devotional.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
In His service,
Israel
In this passage I can see Jesus sending His disciples with nothing except a staff, which means that He is telling them that they can trust on Him, that He will provide for all their necessities; and He did. We can rest on His promises because they are faithful. Many times we do not understand His plans but we can be sure that He will fulfill His will in our lives. I recall the life of William Cowper, a pastor that was faithful to his church but with mental problems; he suffered from depressions.
He tried to kill himself several times because his depression was severe. His friend, John Newton, when he saw his situation, told William to write down poems, and lyrics for hymns. One of his most well-known hymns is “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” which gave him comfort and peace. This same hymn has been a blessing for many other believers through the centuries. Please, read the lyrics and use them as a devotional.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
In His service,
Israel
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