Reading for today
Old Testament: Leviticus 10, 11, 12
New Testament: Mark 6
Thoughts from today’s reading
Leviticus 10:1-3, 16-20. God was very detailed in His commands to the children of Israel and especially to the priests about their work in the tabernacle. These two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu did what they felt was right and not what was commanded. They acted on their own without instruction from God, Aaron or Moses.
We see the other two sons of Aaron, Eleazar and Ithamar at the end of the chapter who had burnt the sin offering instead of eating it, when Moses challenged them, Aaron answered on their behalf, so it was clear that what they did was on the instruction of their Father, and that settled the case.
We must carefully weigh our actions in relation to what God has revealed to us or to those in authority to whom we report. Taking the initiative is a good thing to do, but it should never be done in opposition to God’s known instruction through His Spirit, word or appointed authority in our lives.
Mark 6:6, 48-50. Jesus could do no mighty works in His home town because they felt they knew him and were offended that He dared to do what He was doing. This was evidenced in their display of unbelief that He was the Messiah.
At the end of the chapter, we see that as Jesus walked on the sea He immediately responded to the fear in the heart of the disciples when they saw Him.
Fear and unbelief will always hinder our ability to receive from God and Christ is very quick to respond with a word of faith to counteract fear and unbelief in our lives.
Prayer
1. Lord you said that if we love you we will keep your commandments and your commands are not grievous. I pray for grace to always walk in the light of the authority in your word revealed to me personally or through those in a position of authority over me.
2. Thank you Jesus because you respond to our fears with a word of faith and encouragement to bring us out of our storms. May our ears be open to hear you and our eyes to see you and our hearts to believe you.