September 7

Morning

Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat. — Mark 2:4 BSB

Faith is full of creativity. When the house was packed and the door blocked by a crowd, faith found a way to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus. If ordinary methods don’t work to bring sinners to Jesus, we must be ready to try extraordinary ones. According to Luke 5:19, they had to remove part of the roof, which caused dust and some danger to those below. But when the need is urgent, we must be willing to take some risks and break a few norms. Jesus was there to heal, so faith took bold action to bring the paralyzed man before Him, trusting that his sins would be forgiven.

Oh, that we had more bold faith among us! Can we, dear reader, seek that kind of faith this morning for ourselves and for our fellow workers? Will we not try today to do something daring for the sake of souls and for the glory of God?

The world is constantly coming up with new inventions to satisfy human desires—can’t faith also find new ways to reach the outcasts who are perishing around us? It was the presence of Jesus that gave those four men the courage to break through obstacles—don’t we also have the Lord’s presence with us now? Have we seen His face this morning? Have we experienced His healing power in our own souls? If so, then through doors, windows, or roofs, let’s push past all obstacles and work to bring souls to Jesus. All methods are good and proper when faith and love are truly committed to saving souls. If hunger for food can break through stone walls, surely hunger for souls can break through any barrier. O Lord, give us quick minds to think of ways to reach the lost, and bold hearts to carry them out, no matter the cost!

Evening

Concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard a bad report; they are agitated like the sea; their anxiety cannot be calmed. — Jer 49:23 BSB

We have little idea what sorrows may be unfolding on the sea at this very moment. While we are safe in our quiet rooms, far out on the ocean, a storm may be raging, threatening the lives of sailors. Hear the howling winds as the storm rages; the ship’s timbers creak and groan as the waves slam against them like battering rams. God help you, poor drenched and exhausted souls! My prayers rise to the Lord, the Master of sea and land, asking that He calm the storm and bring you safely to shore.

But prayer alone is not enough. I should do something to help those brave men who risk their lives on the seas. Have I ever done anything for them? What can I do? The sea so often swallows up sailors, leaving countless corpses lying at the bottom of the ocean. For every sailor lost, there are grieving widows and orphans. The salt of the sea fills the eyes of many mothers and wives who mourn for their loved ones. Cruel waves, you have taken away the joy and strength of many homes!

What a resurrection it will be when the sea gives up its dead! Until that day, sorrow will remain on the sea. As if echoing the pains of the earth, the sea constantly churns along a thousand shores, wailing with a mournful cry like the birds that circle above it, booming with a hollow crash, and forever fretting with discontent and unrest.

The roar of the sea may be joyful to those in high spirits, but to those who are sorrowful, the wide ocean feels even more desolate than the world itself. This is not our rest, and the restless waves remind us of that. There is a land where there is no more sea, and our hearts are set on that place. Until then, we cast our sorrows on the Lord who once walked on the sea and who makes a way for His people through its depths.