Mark 11

The problem with reading the gospels for devotions, even just one chapter, is that there are always three to five stories in each chapter and each story has several lessons that I could meditate on. What to do?

As I read, I just listen -and invariably, one story, sentence or phrase seems to have greater impact or significance to me than the others. As I was reading, v. 2-3 made me think. This is the part where Jesus instructs his disciples to get a young donkey for the ride into Jerusalem. I was wondering, why such detail. Why not someone who just came up and offered the donkey, or they stumbled upon it as the entered.?

There are a number of reasons - this was planned, this was foretold, this was another miraculous sign and indication that Jesus was the Messiah. All good and valid.

But this reminds me that God is God of the details, of the little things. When I get to work on Monday and I look at all that is piled on my desk from Friday, that I had dreams of knocking out over the weekend, I get anxious. I look at a 5-page to-do list that is too long to even prioritize and I get anxious. I think about the economy, house payments, college and retirement and I get anxious.

And then He leads me to Mark 11:2-3 and He shepherds my soul. 'I am the God of the littlest of things. Nothing escapes my attention, no level of details is too small or number of details too great.'

Lord, thank you that know it all, know it all in advance, and have promised to care for me as an adopted son.