2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Joshua 21:1-22:20 ESV, Luke 20:1-26 ESV, Psalm 89:1-13 ESV, Proverbs 13:15-16 ESV
Daily Verse: “And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.” (Luke 20:26 ESV)
THAUMAZO (2296): “This word means to wonder, wonder at, and hence to be had in admiration.”[i]
Wonder admiringly.
Religious leaders know no bounds in their pursuit of discrediting Jesus. Sending in spies, pretending sincerity, they asked Jesus sneaky questions to try and trap Him. But God knows the plans of men, and with barely the blink of an eye, Jesus defeats them with His words, rendering them silent.
Watching Jesus in action does cause one to marvel. Miracles begin to happen when we apply God’s word to our lives. The impossible becomes possible when God gets involved.
From the pit of the valley, Jesus helped me find the mountaintop. Like Jesus, I have people in my life constantly trying to trap me with my words. Not believers, they continuously attack my faith, looking for chinks in the armor. But with Jesus, my weakness becomes strength, chinks don’t exist.
Put on God’s armor.
Protect yourself against naysayers by clothing yourself in God’s attire. Ground yourself in God’s truth, wearing righteousness as your breastplate and the gospel of peace for shoes, always at the ready. Carry the shield of faith to extinguish the devil’s fiery darts. Allow the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit to protect you, remaining constant in prayer (Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV).
As you become comfortable in God’s armor, you’ll marvel more at His works in your life. Watching as God defeats the enemy attacks will encourage and uplift you. Truth destroys lies as God reveals it in your life.
When people attack your faith in Jesus, respond with love. Don’t take their words personally; remember, we battle not against flesh and blood but spiritual forces. Pray for them, asking God to illuminate their lives with His truth, letting them marvel in His wondrous works.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 113) Thomas Nelson
