Day 150: A Humble Heart

Mark 2; 2 Samuel 4-5; Daniel 2:24-49

Jesus is so awesome!  Ok, so first in this chapter, he heals a paralyzed man that has just been lowered from the roof. Several things about this story rock. First, the friends. These guys obviously LOVED their crippled friend. How hard will we work for our friends? Would we go to great lengths to assist, provide, aid, and care for them?

Then, Jesus isn't just a man who offers spiritual healing. The Lord wants to heal us, body and soul. That same Jesus is Lord today! He wants to heal us spiritually, from the crud that gets between us and the Father; but he also wants to heal our bodies, and rid us of the pain, sin, and disease that weakens us. Does this mean we will never get the cold, stub our toe, or get some terrible disease? No. But, I believe that God can heal us of all that if he wants to. The real healing comes when our real life starts in heaven.

After that, Jesus calls Levi, an IRS agent, to follow him. The fact that he swiftly gets up and does so, I think shows that he knew he needed something more. He must have known that his job was not enough, he must have felt broken or on some degree, incomplete. I think there is something to be said about Jesus always having dinner with his new followers, the tax collectors, sinners, prostitutes. It is the ostracized, the broken, the unacceptable of our society that understand better what Jesus is all about. These people probably don't have any lofty view of themselves. They recognize their need for a Savior. Sometimes we 'gooder' people don't see that.

Finally, Jesus sheds some light on the 'rules.' People were not made to follow the rules.  Instead, the guidelines are made to help people, to assist us in life. So if Sunday church doesn't work for us, go to Saturday church. If fancy church clothes are not in your budget, wear your jeans. If you can't fast (go without eating) for the right reasons, don't do it. If Ezekiel bread doesn't flot your boat, eat wheat. Jesus did NOT come to set down rules for living perfectly. He came to save and to show us what it means to follow him. But at the same time, he doesn't encourage us to be robots. I don't need to walk around in a robe and sandals, because that is exactly what Jesus wore. I don't need to drink wine because that is what Jesus drank, but at the same time, if I want to drink wine, I can. The goal is focusing on making my heart and life as much like Jesus' heart and life. His love, kindness, service, humility--that is what I should mimic.

During this time in David's life, he was communicating with God. He was asking for guidance and giving The Lord glory for everything. He didn't try to use his position or wisdom to decide things, he knew that God had the plan that would be successful. We may think we know how to accomplish something, but even though David had a lot of experience, was king, and had been successful numerous times before, he still asked The Lord for help.

Daniel interprets the dream, saves the other wise men, and is promoted. The dream talks about the kingdoms that will rule that area later, and the final one is Rome, when Jesus shows up to set up his kingdom. The whole time, Daniel gives glory to God and humbles himself.

All of these readings today demonstrate the power of humility and giving glory to The Lord. I think this is something that many of us need to work on, myself included. God can use a humble heart, much better than he can use a selfish or hardened heart.