Where to Turn?

 

Psalm 25 is about delivery and guidance.

In verse 16, the desire for delivery is obvious.

Psalm 25:16 (NRSVue) - Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

In Mark 10, we read of a man named Bartimeus.

This blind man begged by the roadside.

When he heard Jesus was passing by, he did more than pray.

Bartimeus shouted.

Mark 10:47 (NRSVue) - When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Although others told him to keep silent, Bartimeus shouted even more.

Jesus had the blind beggar brought to Him.

When he arrived, Jesus asked what the man wanted.

Bartimeus asked for His sight.

Jesus said that his faith made him well and Bartimeus began to see once more.

Jesus did not need to ask Bartimeus what he desired.

Jesus asked this for the benefit of the crowd.

As we encounter the pains and problems in our lives, may we call upon Jesus.

Jesus knows our problems before we even think to ask Him for deliverance.

May we recall the psalmist and Bartimeus who knew where to turn for healing and comfort.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, July 4, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, July 11, 2025

But Deliver Us from the Evil One

 

Psalm 125 is about security for God’s people.

The psalmist compares God’s protection to a wall of mountains.

Psalm 125:2 (NRSVue) - As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people from this time on and forevermore.

In John 17, Jesus prays for His disciples.

He prays for their security as well.

Jesus knows that the world hates them.

But Jesus does not pray for them to be removed from the world.

Instead, Jesus prays for God to make them secure from “the evil one.”

John 17:15 (NRSVue) - I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.

Like a wall of mountains, God’s love surrounds us.

And, like the disciples of old, we too must remain in the world for a time.

During our time, we are also protected from “the evil one.”

In Matthew 6, Jesus taught His followers how they should pray.

This is how we should pray as well.

Matthew 6:13 (NIV) - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

As we live out lives of service in this world, may we remember God’s love and protection.

May we also remember how we should pray.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, June 20, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, June 27, 2025