Verse of the Day 4/9

Verse of the Day 4/9

Mark 5:36  But Jesus refused to listen to what they were told^[a] and said to the Jewish official, "Don't yield to fear. All you need to do is to keep on believing."    The Passion Translation (TPT)

Yesterday in our men's Bible study we covered a few passages in Mark 4 and 5 in which Jesus calmed the raging sea; exorcised demons; healed a woman from bleeding; and in the passage where we get today's verse; He raised Jairus' little girl from the dead.

The New King James Version of this verse says "Do not be afraid, only believe."  There is not a big difference between the translation but I like the TPT translation saying "all you need to do is keep believing".  It is not believing just for the moment, the moment of need, it is for life, keep believing; press on; have faith.

Even though the verse doesn't reference faith, the act of believing, to keep believing in spite of overwhelming circumstances is what faith is all about.

Jon Weece writes, "Faith is used as a noun 243 times in the New Testament. Faith is used as a verb 243 times in the New Testament. What does that tell us? It tells us that faith is equally about what we believe and what we do with what we believe."  That's pretty cool.  The perfect balance of faith as in a noun, a thing, saying I have faith; and as a verb an action word putting it into action.

This wasn't a call for Jairus to believe in himself or even to have faith in faith. The verb Jesus uses is in the present tense ("keep on believing"), meaning that Jesus was instructing him to continue with the faith that first brought him there: faith in Jesus and His ability to heal!

I'm reminded of the Gaither Vocal Band Song "Keep Believing"

When troubles rise and catch you unaware

The day to day of living seems unfair

So you try again all your dreams and plans, but they end up in defeat,

And the fancy thrills that once fiulfilled now leave you incomplete

And you wonder where your life's gone wrong and why you can't find peace

Your hope's not gone, it's just been too long since you've had to believe

CHORUS

Keep believing in what you know is true

Keep believing, you know the Lord will see you through

When troubles rise in your life and you don't know what to do

You'll be fine if you just keep believing

You can take God at His word, He is faithful kind and true

Not a prayer will go unanswered; in His time he'll see you through

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Mark 5:35-43 New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁵ While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?"

³⁶ As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." ³⁷ And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. ³⁸ Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw ^[a]a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. ³⁹ When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping."

⁴⁰ And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. ⁴¹ Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." ⁴² Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. ⁴³ But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.