Daily Struggles
The man-made divisions of Biblical books into chapters, headings, and verses creates an interesting phenomenon. Jon Acuff calls them edge verses. Whatever it’s called, these verses end up on the peripheral of our study and can often be ignored even though they can teach some powerful lessons. In bible class last night I noticed a great one at the end of the account of John the Baptist’s beheading and the beginning of the feeding of the 5,000.
Matthew 14:12-14
New King James Version (NKJV)
12 Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.13 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Jesus, upon hearing that His cousin John the Baptist was murdered decides He needs some time to reflect, mourn, or pray. Whatever His reason, it’s obvious He wants to be alone. He heads off into a place that people don’t typically go and is followed by the people that He’s been teaching.
But notice one thing.
Despite the fact that he sought out some “me time” he saw the need to help these people and did it. He didn’t let His personal needs and emotional state interfere with the Lord’s work.
That said, once he took care of the multitude, He was still given time to pray alone.
Matthew 14:22-23
New King James Version (NKJV)22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
God calls us as Christians to be greater than we ever realized we could be. Sometimes this means we become exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally. Don’t let your daily struggles keep you from doing the Lord’s work. God will give us the rest we need, it just may not be exactly when we expect it.
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May 30 2013 @ 8:16 am
I’m enjoying reading your daily “devotions.” And the pictures, too. Thanks for taking time to write these. They are very inspiring.