February 15

Exodus 39:1-40:38, Mark 1:1-28, Psalm 35:1-16, Proverbs 9:11-12 



Pray: The readings today are so rich with meaning and depth. We have people using their talents and gifts for the Lord, spiritual authority, the Glory of the Lord, baptism, temptation, discipleship, calling, demon possession, engaging the enemy, and wisdom. Read through slowly. Digest today’s Word. Pray to the Lord, the Author of the Scriptures. Ask Him to reveal one or two things you may need to work on. Then, listen to His response. Don’t be quick to move on. Quiet yourself before Him and hear His voice.

Read: It is true that there are so many themes at work in today’s readings. There is one, however, that seems to connect the dots. We don't care much for spiritual authority, but it is found in many places of Scripture. Today, it is unmistakable. The people were making garments for Aaron to wear while in the Holy Place, and other priests were getting garments, too. They were the spiritual authorities. They brought the tabernacle to Moses for inspection…he was the spiritual authority. Moses set up the tabernacle because God, Moses’ spiritual authority, instructed him to do so. Then, and only then, did God’s glory fill the tabernacle. John the Baptist pointed the way to one who was greater than him, Satan was unsuccessful in tempting Jesus, the first disciples left everything to follow Jesus, evil spirits obeyed Jesus, God was called upon to fight against enemies…all perfect examples of spiritual authority in action. It’s not a dictatorship we’re talking about. It’s a covering of loving, healthy spiritual authority. Is the Lord speaking to you today about this subject?

Edify: David was a man after God’s own heart. At certain points, he has mine, too. His Psalm today is one of those times in which David captures where my heart should be, but often is not. When I am faced with enemies, my immediate response is to deal with them and the issue(s) at hand. I want to address it head-on…not in a violent sort of way, but direct. Not only does David not choose passivity, but he also does not choose self-reliance. Psalm 35 is a plea for help from the Lord. David asks that the Lord fight against David's enemies. Then, because he trusts that the Lord will indeed fight on his behalf, David offers praise to God. Who are your enemies? Is it an addiction? Is it worry/anxiety? Are there negative people in your life? Ask the Lord, the God of Heaven and earth, to fight on your behalf. David did it, and he was a man after God's own heart. Wouldn't you like to have that phrase after your name, too?

Practice: Are you under someone’s spiritual leadership/authority? I hope you are. The people built the tabernacle and brought it to Moses for inspection. I wonder what would have happened if he had said, “Start over, it’s not the right size.” I wonder, too, if John the Baptist had not redirected the attention from himself to Jesus, would he have been the one to baptize the Son of God? One can only speculate on such things, because of course, we know how they turned out. The people built as Moses commanded, and John did redirect. Do you struggle with spiritual authority? Many do. Yet, it is absolutely imperative if we are to live a life shaped by the Word. Again, not the authority of a tyrant, but someone who is loving enough to tell us the truth even if we don't want to hear it, and someone who may make some changes even if we are comfortable with the way things are. We must do our best to honor our spiritual authority, because in doing so, we honor God.