God's Word is a mirror

​10/22/21
Today's devotion for today is based on  Mark 10:21,22: [Jesus] said, "Go, sell everything you have . . . Then come, follow me." At this, the man's face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth. "
In Mark chapter 10, the man who approaches Jesus presumes that his spiritual health is good. When Jesus challenges him to part with all his wealth for the sake of following Jesus, the man is crestfallen. He walks away sad.
In my sinful weakness, I find that I have quite the talent for believing my spiritual health is in pretty good condition. Sure, there are garden-variety sins here and there, but my self-diagnosis frequently comes up with a clean bill of health. And this is why we need our Savior. Through his Word and his hand in my life, our Great Physician puts his finger on that area of my life where I am truly hurting. In love, he gets me to recognize the problem.
It is not pleasant when God's Word does this, but thanks be to God he loves me enough to do it.  For then, I realize even more how much I need his blood to wash me clean, to forgive my sin, to bring me his healing.
Please pray with me: Great Physician, thank you for touching me through your Word so that I realize how spiritually sick I am.  Thank you for healing me, even when it is painful.  Help me to remember that my healing comes from your terrible suffering and death.  In your holy name, I pray.  Amen