God with Us

God with Us
Words of Faith 5-1-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Mark 16
[17] And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
[19] After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. [20] Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

The last section of Mark is what scholars call a "problematic text." Most translations note that "the most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20." To make things worse, some religious sects have used this text to justify the practice of handling snakes and drinking poison. It is pretty easy to dismiss Mark 16:9-20 out of hand, but perhaps we should reconsider it.
If we assume this text is authentic, a careful reading reveals that handling snakes or drinking poison would be a gross misinterpretation. Jesus Himself quoted Scripture (during his temptation in the wilderness) to say that you shall not put the Lord your God to a test. The only authentic interpretation of this text would be that certain signs accompany those who preach the Good News but that such signs are always from God and only at HIS will and pleasure. To attempt to create "signs" or force God to perform a sign is the height of arrogance.
If this text came from an early tradition of the church that was added later to Mark's Gospel, as many scholars suggest, it may have had some root in Jesus' sayings as remembered by the apostles. If so, it should be heard only to speak of God's power that can manifest in unusual situations.
The truth is that the field of mission can be a dangerous one. While those who preach the Gospel with integrity are not always protected from every danger, there are many stories of miraculous protection. Demons are indeed driven out. Evil situations are handled. "Snakes" are handled, some even within the church!
There are times when the power of God renders what was intended to poison a group against the Gospel impotent. The Gospel itself is the powerful antidote for the hate and sickness of this world. The sick are indeed made well. Not a preacher or missionary of the Gospel has not seen God handle the evil that often comes against those who minister the Word of God.
But the most significant part of this closing of Mark's Gospel is in the last line. We sometimes miss the best because we are distracted by the spectacular. "Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it." The Lord worked "with them".
There is a partnership with God in spreading the Gospel. God does not "need" us to spread the Gospel, but he has chosen to work through us. He works WITH us, and as we enter into that partnership, He will validate His ministry in any way that He chooses and protect those who labor for the Kingdom.
Are you working with God? Are you allowing Him to minister through you? Are you trusting (not testing) God to watch after you? He will. Here is how the Psalmist put it--

I lift up my eyes to the hills‑‑ where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip‑‑ he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you‑‑ the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm‑‑ he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
(Psalm 121:1‑8)

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.