Today’s reading

Numbers 7; Mark 4:21-41

Selected Verses

And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him. Numbers 7:89

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:40-41

Reflections

From start to finish the Bible reveals a God who is in constant contact with His creation and in communication with humanity in particular.

In the tabernacle God gave a concrete picture of His love by giving Moses a plan for the Ark of the Covenant which included a gold lid upon which stood two cherubim of gold. Between these cherubim was a space called “the mercy seat.” At this place God spoke to Moses, and in future generations He would meet with the high priest on the Day of Atonement. My study Bible notes say that the Greek term for the mercy seat (hilasterion) may be translated the “seat of propitiation.” Propitiation refers to the process of satisfying just anger through a sacrificial gift or offering. That is what God did when He offered His Son on the cross for sin (1 John 2:1-2).

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took on human flesh and revealed the Father to us. The disciples struggled at times to grasp who He was (and is). On the sea they were terrified as He slept peacefully through a terrific storm. They woke Him. He calmly quieted the storm but also rebuked them for their lack of faith.

Think about it

God makes Himself known for His mercy and His power. He makes a sacrifice for the sins of all who believe in His Son and quiets His own just wrath. He stilled the storm for the panicked disciples. Do you know His quieting actions of mercy and power in your life?

Whatever terrifies you today, whether the mounting debt of failures you are amassing through everyday sin or the stress of life’s storms bearing down on you, trust Him to see you through to the peace and joy He promises to His own.

© 2017 John A Carroll Used by permission