Prayer Journal

Monday, November 24, 2003

It's said that timing is everything. A couple of things we learn from Jesus' words in Mark: First, Jesus has complete authority over those marching under the devil's banner. Secondly, like Solomon told us in Ecclesiastes 3:1, there is a time for everything. Even though God now wants everyone to know who Jesus truly is, at one time he wanted such information subdued.

It's interesting that the devil and his crew knew who Jesus was, but men would prove harder to convince. You see, this early account in Mark occurred before the disciples were named by Jesus. Many question why such credible "evidence" was held back, but most likely Jesus needed time to prepare them and others for the spiritual warfare to come.

Don't you just hate it when people answer questions that haven't been asked yet? Most of us think it's important to hear the question before considering whether an answer is appropriate. Crowds were starting to follow him and felt there was something different about him, but Jesus hadn't even begun to preach. He performed signs and wonders, but the "best" was yet to come.

A person granted godly discernment will often bypass preliminary verbiage to get right down to the issue. More than once, Jesus displayed such tendency by addressing a person's real question rather than what they verbalized. While others around him often wondered what he was saying, the person to whom Jesus was speaking knew. If they didn't understand the question, then the Master would usually rephrase it or say it another way until they understood the question. When you stop and think about it, questions are just as important as answers.

You may have questions today to which there seems to be no answer. Take heart - asking questions is the first step toward resolution. It's the failure to ask questions that proves a person doesn't really care about answers. There's little hope for a person like that.

This Christmas season, you'll likely be reminded about certain wise men who sought Jesus. They asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

I trust your questions about the identity of Jesus have been answered. If so, you probably realize that it is the Savior who has been seeking you from the time of your birth and not the other way around. I hope you've also learned with the Magi, that every day presents a fresh opportunity to meet him at the altar of prayer and worship.

Just Thinkin'... WebServant

Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998-2003 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
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