He said to the man with the withered hand,
“Come up here before us.”
MARK 3:3
Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath day or is it better to do evil and go astray? Is it lawful to save life or to take it away? Or is it better to destroy and cause dismay? These are the questions that Jesus asked to those who watched Him heal a man at last. They were silent and did not answer Him for they cared more about the rules than Him. But Jesus knew their hearts and what they thought. They wanted to accuse Him and have Him caught. He showed them that God's love is greater than the law. That mercy and compassion are what God saw. He showed them that doing good is always right no matter what the day or what the plight.
Come to Jesus, stretch out your hand and be healed. He is the one who can make you whole and fulfilled. He is the one who has power over sickness and pain. He is the one who can restore you and make you sane. Jesus loves you with a love that is real, who died for you and rose again, who can forgive you and cleanse you from sin. He is the one who can give you peace and joy that is sealed, the one who can fill you with his Spirit and grace, the one who can prepare you for His glorious face.
1 Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. 2 They watched him closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. 3 He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” 4 Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. 5 Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death. (Mark 3:1-6)
The battle is the Lord's, and he shall deliver you into our hands. You have defied the living God and His commands. You have mocked His people and His name. You have brought upon yourself His wrath and shame. You have trusted in your strength and your plans, relied on your weapons and your might and have ignored His power and His light. You have no chance against His will and His stands. You have met your match in His servant and His sling. You have fallen by His stone and His swing.
Trust the Lord to give you victory. He is the one who fights for you and sets you free. He is the one who knows the end from the beginning who turns your losses into winnings. He strengthens you and makes you steady, guides you with His word and His voice, and gives you hope and makes you rejoice.
32 David spoke to Saul: “Let your majesty not lose courage. I am at your service to go and fight this Philistine.” 33 But Saul answered David, “You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth.” 37 David continued: “The Lord, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine.” Saul answered David, “Go! The Lord will be with you.” 40 Then, staff in hand, David selected five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag. With his sling also ready to hand, he approached the Philistine. 41 With his shield bearer marching before him, the Philistine also advanced closer and closer to David. 42 When he had sized David up, and seen that he was youthful, and ruddy, and handsome in appearance, the Philistine held David in contempt. 43 The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog that you come against me with a staff?” Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods 44 and said to him, “Come here to me, and I will leave your flesh for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.” 45 David answered him: “You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted. 46 Today the Lord shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will leave your corpse and the corpses of the Philistine army for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God. 47 All this multitude, too, shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he shall deliver you into our hands.”48 The Philistine then moved to meet David at close quarters, while David ran quickly toward the battle line in the direction of the Philistine. 49 David put his hand into the bag and took out a stone, hurled it with the sling, and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone embedded itself in his brow, and he fell prostrate on the ground. 50 Thus David overcame the Philistine with sling and stone; he struck the Philistine mortally, and did it without a sword. 51 Then David ran and stood over him; with the Philistine’s own sword which he drew from its sheath he dispatched him and cut off his head. (1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37, 40-51)
The Lord is my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war. He is the one who protects me and goes before me, he is my shield and my sword. He is the one who teaches me and equips me. He is my wisdom and my skill who empowers me and enables me, He is my strength and my will. The Lord delivers me and saves me, He is my refuge and my reward.
Praise be to the Lord our God, who reigns in heaven above. He is the one who created us and showed us His love. He is the one who gave us life and breath and everything. He is the one who deserves our worship and our offering. Praise be to the Lord our God, who acts in history and time. He is the one who fulfills his promises and makes his plans sublime. He is the one who sent his Son to die for us and rise again. He is the one who will come back to judge the world and reign.
1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war. 2 My refuge and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, my shield, in whom I trust, who subdues people under me. 9 O God, I will sing a new song to you; with a ten-stringed lyre I will chant your praise,10 You who give victory to kings, and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword. (Psalm 144:1, 2, 9-10)
Lord Jesus, I humbly come to You so that I may be restored. I confess that I have sinned against You and ignored Your word. I ask for Your forgiveness and Your cleansing by Your blood. I thank You for Your grace and Your mercy that never end. I admit that I have been broken and wounded by the world. I ask for Your healing and Your comfort by Your Spirit. I thank You for Your presence and Your peace that surpass all understanding. I acknowledge that I have been lost and wandering from Your will. I ask for Your guidance and Your direction by Your truth. I thank You for Your wisdom and Your light that show me the way. I surrender all to You and seek Your face above all else. I ask for Your strength and Your power by Your name. I thank You for Your love and Your hope that fill my heart. Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Mystery of Jesus
A MAN WITH A WITHERED HAND
Mark 3:1-6
III: Saul and David
DAVID FIGHTS GOLIATH / PREPARATION FOR THE ENCOUNTER / DAVID'S VICTORY
1 Samuel 17:32-37 / 38-40 / 41-51
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
A PRAYER FOR VICTORY AND PROSPERITY
Psalm 144:1-15
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Bing Chat
