The King and The Kingdom - Mark 2

Pondering the Psalms
 
David, a man of faith, was not immune to the depths of human emotions. He cries out to God, expressing his fear and anxiety, a sentiment many of us can relate to. Don’t be scared to be real with God in your prayers. God knows what is in your mind and heart; be real with Him in your prayers. God can handle your criticism and questions.
 
In Psalm 13, David feels God has forgotten him; he is exasperated and in despair. You know what that feels like, the Apostle Paul knew what that felt like.
 
          2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
 
Our despair doesn’t mean God is not with us and does not love us. God proved His love to us by sending Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sins. David had experienced the love of God many times: as a shepherd boy protected from a lion, as a young man fighting a giant, and as an anointed king running from the evil King. David experienced God's forgiveness when he sinned, and he felt God's comfort when his son died.
David trusted in God's unfailing love.
 
            Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
 
King David was experiencing the spiritual battle that we all go through (Ephesians 6:10f). Satan wants to devour us; he wants us to drown in fear and anxiety. Satan brings death and destruction. Jesus brings life.
 
            1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
 
            John 10:10 The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
 
How can we, like David, survive the fear and anxiety that creeps into our hearts and minds?
 
            1 Peter 5:9 Resist him (Satan), standing firm in the faith
 
            James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.
 
Rest in the goodness of Jesus like David.
 
            Psalm 13:6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
 
            Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
 
*****
 
Mark 2
 
How did Jesus comfort people who were struggling with fear and anxiety?
When we are battling and in the depths of despair, Jesus is not ignoring us. Mark tells us of a dad whose daughter was dying and needed Jesus’ help.
 
            Mark 5:22 Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.
 
Jesus went with this grieving dad but also stopped to heal another one in need. The dad could have complained and been mad that Jesus delayed the healing of his daughter. Sometimes, we get frustrated when God doesn’t answer in our timing. We must be patient and wait on God’s timing and will.
 
Coming to Jesus with your problems is not a bother to Him, even if others think it is.
 
          Mark 5:35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?” 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
 
Jesus comes to us during our lowest moments, even if we laugh and don’t believe.
 
          Mark 5:37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.
 
Jesus doesn’t always bring healing on earth, but He does many times.
 
           Mark 5:41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
 
Rejoice and rest; we serve a Risen Savior!
 
            Mark 16:6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.