Believe and Obey

Today I read Exodus 21:14-24:15 and Mark 4:24-5:40. My favorite verses are:

Exodus 21:15, 17 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death. 17And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

God was serious about children honoring parents. We hear much about child abuse, but sometimes it is the other way around. Sometimes children, both young and adult children, mistreat their parents. It may be physically abusing or attacking them, or it may be a case of verbal, mental, or emotional abuse. In either case, God said the penalty is death. I’m sure that all of us have disobeyed parents at times in our lives. But if we resort to cursing or striking them, God demands serious punishment. If you are harboring a bad attitude toward your parents, consider making amends today.

I love the words of Jesus in Mark 5:36. He spoke them to a particular ruler in this instance, but I believe they apply to all of us. If we believe in Jesus and His ability to take care of our needs, there is no reason for us to be afraid. When we receive bad news, we need to filter it through our faith in Jesus. He was not surprised or upset by it; He knew it was coming, and He has a way prepared to care for us in spite of it. God is Good, and we can rest in Him.