March 2, 2020: SOAP #3742:  Numbers 30-31; Mark 9

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 9:9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. …
31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”

Observation:  Jesus had taken Peter, James, and John up to the mountain where Moses and Elijah met them.  On the way back down, He instructs the disciples not to tell anyone until he had been “risen from the dead.”  Later as he was teaching his disciples, he told them that He would be killed, then quickly added “after three days he will rise.”

Jesus did not ignore the hard times; He did not ignore the troubles; but He always pointed to the victory that would come after the struggle!

Application:   If God leads me into trouble, He will bring the victory.  I cannot let the trouble stop my praise.  He will take me through!   The trouble will strengthen me, the trouble provides opportunity for me to bring God glory.

When I am walking with Jesus, I do not have to wait to praise God until the victory comes.  The presence of trouble is just a sign that victory is coming!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, your plan is for victory.  Your plan is to take me through the trouble to the victory!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!