Day 70

Numbers 15:17–16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6

IN OUR READING from Numbers today, the reality of life in the wilderness with no hope of a Promised Land settled in. Korah (who was a Levite) and Dathan and Abiram (who were of the tribe of Reuben) incited a rebellion, which God dramatically thwarted.

In Mark’s Gospel, we once again witnessed the trial, death, and burial of Jesus. Tomorrow, we will conclude Mark’s Gospel account of Jesus’ life and ministry.

Our reading from Psalms today is one in which we can take comfort. David, whose story we will explore at length a little later, was on the run from assassins, and his heart cry explored the depths of our own betrayals and struggles:

Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea. For strangers are attacking me; violent people are trying to kill me. They care nothing for God.

We likely know how betrayal feels, and in the midst of our trials comes a rescue penned thousands of years ago for our hearts this very day. Let’s grab hold of David’s words and make them our own:

God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! . . . You have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies.

PRAYER:

Come with great power, O God, and rescue me! Defend me with your might.