Daily Devotionals

Determined to See the Dream: Wednesday

“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:48

Can you imagine the moment when Bartimaeus, a blind man who desperately wanted healing, realized that Jesus was near him? It must have been a moment of both excitement and nervousness. Jesus, whose miracles and healing power Bartimaeus had undoubtedly heard about, was nearby. It was time for Bartimaeus to decide how to respond to Jesus' presence. Would he make up excuses to never call on Jesus because he did not know how Jesus would respond or if Jesus would listen to him, or would he courageously seize the moment and call on Jesus for healing?

Mark 10 explains that when Bartimaeus saw Jesus, he shouted out to Him for help. He was not afraid of how people might respond negatively to his shouting. As he shouted, a lot of people around him "yelled at him" to "be quiet" (verse 48). The negative response of the crowd around him only strengthened his resolve. When they told him to stop, "he only shouted louder" (verse 48). He understood that if he wanted healing, this was his moment. He did not let a missed opportunity pass by. Instead, he courageously asked for help even more loudly and undignified. This was his moment to turn to Jesus, and he intended to take it. Instead of fear, embarrassment, or shame, Bartimaeus kept trying to get Jesus' attention. He kept calling out to Jesus for help. 

Bartimaeus knew that he had to seize the moment in front of him. He did not wait. What an example for us to follow! He had heard all about Jesus' power and wanted to experience it in his own life. Jesus' power is available to all who place their faith in Him. Paul said it this way in 2 Timothy 1, "God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (verse 7). As Christ followers, we do not have to give in to fear or make excuses when things seem difficult or confusing. We can lean into His power and find courage instead, not wasting any moment. 

When God places hopes and dreams in our lives or gives us a command, we have to decide how to respond. Will we seize the moment and turn to Him for help, or will we let fear get in that way, make excuses, and wait? I urge you, friend, to turn to Him now. Ask Him for help and courage. He is with you all the way and will equip you with His power.

Moving toward action

In what area of your life do you need God's help or healing? Turn to Him today. Ask Him for His help and healing power in your life. Remember, His help and healing power may look different than you expect, but He is always good and with us through every outcome we face. What are you waiting for? Turn to Him today!

Going Deeper

2 Timothy 1:1-18

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.

5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.

12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

13 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

15 As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted me—even Phygelus and Hermogenes.

16 May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. 17 When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me. 18 May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of Christ’s return. And you know very well how helpful he was in Ephesus.