PROFESSOR - POSSESSOR
Psalm 31
Psalm 31:6: “I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I
trust in the Lord.”
Marcus
is an Afro-American sophomore studying chemistry at North Carolina State
University. He spends summers doing odd
jobs in the laboratory, for which he gets minimum-wage pay that offsets his
tuition. Dr. Gutmann, his German professor,
interrupted Marcus one Friday.
“Check
this out, Marcus.” Dr. Gutmann said. He
held out a stone for Marcus to examine.
“Oh,
it’s very light!” Marcus commented, inspecting it further. “What are the white flecks?”
Dr.
Gutmann instructed, “This is a moon rock, Marcus!” He powered up his X-Ray machine. While it warmed up, he asked Marcus what he
was doing.
“I’m
preparing titrants to measure the percentage of acids and bases in your ‘surprise
mixtures’ for the incoming freshman.” Marcus answered.
“Excellent, Marcus!” Dr. Gutmann said,
pleased. He placed the rock on a tray
inside the machine. “I’d like to see of what
this rock is made up, too!” After
running several tests, he sighed. “You’ll
never believe this, Marcus. The rock’s
contents are not on the periodic table!”
Marcus
reminded his professor that the rock is not from earth.
“Yeah,
right. But I create new compounds! I am god in a chemistry lab!”
Dr.
Gutmann is not a believer. Marcus
is. And what Dr. Gutmann just said blew
Marcus’ mind.
Although Marcus likes his professor—and is learning
a lot—he realized that his mentor is not his hero. For the first time, Marcus grasped that his “professor”
does not do what Marcus has done always done:
‘profess’ belief in God. Marcus recognized
one difference because he believes what he ‘professes,’ that God is the creator of heaven
and earth.
BUT
Marcus also ‘possesses’ God. God’s
Spirit lives in Marcus—Who allows him possession of all God’s benefits. Marcus prays to and depends on God’s leading him
every day. Marcus “talks to Jesus” all
the time.
Jesus
knows Marcus because they have a relationship.
Whenever
Marcus is down, he smiles remembering his friendship with Jesus. He recalls many promises from the Bible that
God delivered to him. Marcus is
confident that God hears and answers prayers.
He’s seen God’s power in his life resolving issues that Marcus felt
helpless to even try tackling!
Marcus
is tight with God because he surrendered himself into God’s hands. This assures him victory. (See lesson linked below).
Take Home Nugget
People say things that blow
believer’s minds when we’re determined to trust only in God. Wrong beliefs will be obvious. Like Marcus, we can rise up after being down because
a relationship with God is not only what we profess, but also what we possess!
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus!
- What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
- Have we trials and
temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.” Charles C. Converse 1868
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.” Charles C. Converse 1868
J.D. Griffith
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