Sanctuary

Pray through the truth found in Mark 9.14-29

When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.“

The central promise, the most repeated promise of the Bible is “I will be with you.”

Here are seven examples:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1.9

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23.4

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41.10

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means ‘God with us’). Matthew 1.23

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1.14

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28.20

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14.16-17

The astounding progression is God for us, God with us, and then God dwelling within us. Incredible.

God says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” But when you erupt in anger at your daughter, when you compare yourself to another, when you secretly change the settings on your computer so no one will see your search history, when you habitually worry, when you ignore a former friend, or when you…

And yet, the God who is with us, is with us there too. He’s with us in the depth of our anger, the joyless comparison, the loneliness of secrecy, the deepest hurt, and the darkest sin. He’s Immanuel in all of those places too. He’s as present in our darkness as He is in the light.

Can you imagine living with God in the darkest dark? Can you imagine inviting Him to meet you in that place of brokenness?  What if you lived as if this truth were true?

Our “With You” God has come to remind you of His grace, of His life, and of His love. He’s with you in your moments of spiritual strength, and at your absolute worst. He’s God with us. Always. Everywhere. In everything. And His message is always one of Good News.

Reflection:

1. How do you experience “God with you” when you sense you are at your best?
2. How do you experience “God with you” when you sense you are at your worst?
3. “I will be with you.” How might you fully live into this truth today?

Pray through the truth of John 20.24-28

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”