2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Leviticus 16:29-18:30 ESV, Mark 7:24-8:10 ESV, Psalm 41:1-13 ESV, Proverbs 10:15-16 ESV
Daily Verse: “And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mark 7:37 ESV)
EKPLESSO (1605): “Signifies ‘to be exceedingly struck in mind, to be astonished. Prop. To be struck with terror of a sudden and startling alarm; but like our “astonish” in popular use, often employed on comparatively slight occasions.”[I]
Startling moment.
Watching a miracle unfold before your eyes as the disciples witnessed would lead to astonishment. Jesus opened the eyes of the blind and unplugged deaf ears, astonishing His followers. How wondrous the world must have seemed to the deaf man when his ears heard sounds for the first time. Birds tweeting, people talking, wind whistling, a plethora of noise erupts into his silent world. Astonishing, to say the least.
When God reveals a truth to us, we experience a spiritual awakening. God helps me become more self-aware as I follow Him. Diving into His word makes me more sensitive to my sin. When I receive correction from above, typically through His word, I have an “ah-ha” moment. Something makes sense to me that didn’t before, God revealing lies I’ve believed.
Experience astonishment.
Allowing God to search your heart will astonish you. As God brings things you can’t see to light, you will experience an “ah-ha” moment, understanding something in your life. If you want God to open your eyes to things you can’t see, pray the following scripture:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)
Ask Jesus to open your eyes and ears. Experience astonishment as you become more self-aware. Let God’s truth reveal the lies you can’t see as He leads you on the everlasting way.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p.82) Thomas Nelson
