Devo: Mark 3:7-12

“But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him.” VV. 7-8

Many people from different places followed Jesus even when He withdrew from the crowd. However, they followed Jesus only because of the great things He was doing.

“…when they heard how many things He was doing…” V. 8

They were attracted to Him because they heard of the miracles that Jesus did (healing of the sick and casting out unclean spirits). They were not attracted to Him because of who He is. They were not interested in His message but in what He could do for them.

Will we come to Jesus when we know that He won’t heal our diseases? Will we come to Jesus when we know that He won’t make us rich? Will we come to Jesus when we know that He won’t make us happy in this world?

God is a healer and He wants us to have healthy bodies. However, it’s not all the time that He will heal our illnesses and it doesn’t mean that He is not good. The apostle Paul had a thorn in the flesh and he pleaded with God to remove it but God refused to grant his request.

“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Paul understood that it was for him to keep from boasting.

“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.” 2 Corinthians 12:7

We will not always understand why He sometimes withholds healing but God is sovereign. He is in control even when things in our life seem out of control. We may not have the life we expect to have on earth but as long as we know that God is with us no matter what our circumstance is, we’re good.

I don’t expect life to be easy in this world because God Himself said that in this world, we will have tribulation (John 16:33). However, God promises us peace that is not like what the world offers.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27