Progress

Daily Reading: Mark 8

Scripture Focus:  Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” (Mark 8.25-26)

Devotional Thought:  When Jesus first touched the blind man in Mark 8, his vision was restored, but still blurry.  Jesus touched him again, and his vision was made perfect.  What a great object lesson for us today.

Notice the progress in this story:

• Some people brought him to Jesus and begged him to touch him.  In essence, they invited and prayed for their friend!

• Jesus led him outside the village.  Jesus deals with each one of us individually.  As you bring people to Jesus, forget about the masses and focus on the individual.

• Jesus touched the blind man’s eyes.  Without the touch of Jesus, the man may have felt encouraged by his friends’ love and concern, but he would have remained blind.

• Jesus touched him again when he needed it.  One more touch from Jesus is always available!

• His eyes were opened.  Only Jesus can open the eyes of our family and friends.  Only he can open our eyes.  May our blindness be removed completely!

• His sight was restored.  Jesus specializes in restoration!  He said in Revelation for us to remember where we once were, what we once had.  Then we can cry out to be restored.

• He saw everything clearly.  As Jesus continues to work in our lives, we will see more clearly.  We will see our failures and needs.  But greater than that, we will see the fullness of his love and forgiveness!

• Jesus sent him home.  He went back to family and friends, back to a life of witness and testimony.  Every person who comes to Christ is called to lead another to Christ.

Are you making progress?

Prayer: Lord, may this story of progress serve as a challenge to me to make progress in my own journey of faith.  Help me to grow in you and to show others your love.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 19.1-6

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,

5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.