READING: Genesis 6-8, Psalm 104, Mark 3
I am often amazed by God’s patience, both toward me and toward others. He persistently pursued me for almost a year after I first heard (and quickly rejected) the gospel. I tried hard to run from God, but I eventually learned that you can’t outrun Him. Especially because I have loved ones and friends who’ve heard the Good News but not yet followed Jesus, I continue to be grateful for His gracious patience. I can pray daily in hope for others because I know that God may indeed still be drawing them to Himself.
On the other hand, I’m reminded today that God does draw a line in the sand with non-believers. The religious leaders of His day had already continually rejected His good works, often classifying them as evil though they were good. For example, they accused Him of blasphemy when He healed the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12). They questioned why He ate with sinners (Mark 2:13-17) and why His disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23-28). They watched Him on the Sabbath, hoping they could accuse Him of wrong (Mark 3:1-2). Then, they accused Him of casting out demons “by the ruler of the demons” (Mark 3:22). Seemingly, they refused to see good in anything Jesus did.
When people continually, persistently, and unrepentantly reject the work of God in their life like the religious leaders did, they risk committing the unforgiveable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:28-29). God’s patience likely makes this sin a rare one, but a potential one nonetheless. Thus, today I pray even more fervently for those I know who’ve not yet followed Christ.
PRAYER: “God, I pray for _________ today, trusting You to bring them to Yourself.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Genesis 9-11, Mark 4
