August 21
Bible Reading: Acts 13:13-25
Acts 13:13, “And John left them and returned to Jerusalem.” (AD 48)
2 Timothy 4:11, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” (AD 64)
We all fail sometimes, but failure never needs to be at the end of our story. Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before finally creating a functional light bulb. Once asked about his many failures, Edison reportedly said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
John Mark, often just called Mark, is the author of the gospel of Mark. He is first mentioned in Acts as the son of a woman named Mary (Acts 12:12). He was Barnabas’ cousin and a companion of Barnabas and Paul during their missionary travels (Acts 12:12). In fact, he had the privilege of accompanying them on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:5).
We are not told exactly why, but Mark deserted the effort amidst the difficulties accompanying the missionary endeavor. Later, after Paul and Barnabas returned from that first journey, Paul expressed the desire to return to the cities they had visited (Acts 15:36). Barnabas agreed, providing that John Mark could join them. Paul refused, and they separated, with Barnabas taking John Mark with him to Cyprus, and Silas joining Paul on a journey through Syria and Cilicia. Mark’s failure led to Paul’s distrust.
“The righteous falls seven times and rises again” (Proverbs 24:16). We all fail at some point, but because of the God’s grace and mercy, failure need not define us. Years after Mark’s desertion, he is with Paul as a “fellow worker” (Philemon 1:24). And then, near the end of his life, Paul appealed for Mark to be brought to him, affirming him to be “very useful to me for ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). Over time, Mark matured and transformed from being useless to Paul to becoming very useful!
It does no good to brood in regret over our past failures. Wishing for changes to our past is like fishing in a fishless pond. But new mercies come with each new day (Lamentations 3:23). Failure might prove to be a back door to success if we allow God to teach and lead us in our response.
Because God is who He is and able to do what He does, failure need not be the end of the story for any of us!
JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE
I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain:
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Thro’ this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee. [Refrain]
When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 