MUSINGS – September 13 2018
I AM WITH YOU
Mark 1:9-13
“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. As Jesus came out of the water, he saw heaven split open and the Spirit coming down to him as a dove. A voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you.” At once the Spirit brought him into the desert, where he was tempted by Satan for 40 days. He was there with the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.”
The juxtaposition here is striking. Jesus comes fresh from the water and immediately he is transported to the desert. He goes from being praised by God to bring torment by the evil one.
Our lives are also like that at times. We have highs and lows back to back. You could finally afford that new car you’ve always wanted and then it is totalled in an accident. Your team wins the big tournament and then you learn that a teammate has a terminal illness.
Some people have the mistaken belief that, when you turn your life over to God, everything will be sunshine, lollipops and rainbows. Those people have never read the Bible. Pick any famous person in the Bible and read their story. It will be full of hardship and struggle. No, Christians aren’t promised a Rose garden. However Jesus promised, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Visit my daily blog. https://rvingfulltimewithtomandella.com/
And my sermons blog http://thomasewilliams.blogspot.com/?m=1
All content (except quotations) © 2018 Thomas E. Williams