Love in Action

Commentary:

Jesus had come home after he ministered to an abundance of people in Judea, Jerusalem, and beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon. When He returned home, there was a massive crowd around Him, to the point that they could not eat. People gathered around Him because they heard of all the good that He had done, and the miracles that He had performed. However, those that were closest to Him did not believe in Him. They thought that he was crazy because they did not understand His purpose or His mission. They sought to take Him into custody. His family did not believe him and were probably embarrassed by everything that He was doing. They were possibly even fearful because He was upsetting officials in high places.

Reflection:

When the people who are closest to us to do not understand us, they may say something that is not factual. Therefore, it is limited thinking based on human reasoning; that is not in comparison to the mind of God. It is why it is so vital for us to get an understanding of the Word of God; and pray for Him to reveal things to us that we do not understand. The more time that we spend with Him, the more He will reveal to us. The benefit of spending time with God is the love that He sheds abroad in our hearts, which defeats a judgmental spirit.

It is essential for us to understand those that we are closest too, and to remember those that we once knew. When situations arise that come to make us doubt the character of a person that we will know we should recognize that it is a trick of the enemy to bring division. We should not be so quick to judge one another when we see contrary behavior of those that we know and love. We should be ready to speak to the issue and say what God says about them — praying for one another so that we all stay on course toward our destination in Christ. There are enough things in this world to make us all crazy; however, God is the one that keeps every last one of us. If, by chance, when others experience challenges that seem to be insurmountable, it is our responsibility to encourage and lift one another in love, prayer, and action.

References:

Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Psalms 23." Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 19 Jul 2010. AuthorID=4&contentID=1146&commInfo=5&topic=Psalms&ar=Psa_23_6 

Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Psalms 23 - (KJV - King James Version)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 19 Jul 2010. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=23&t=KJV >

Edited: Higgins, S. (2020). Love in Action * Bible Devotions. Shanene Higgins * Higgins Publishing. Http://www.higginspublishing.com