Acts 15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
God loves restoring those who have stumbled. Like Barnabas, we are called to lift up the fallen and help them walk again in usefulness.
Barnabas knew John Mark had failed, but he also knew that failure is not final, and he wanted to mend a broken relationship. From today’s passage, Barnabas took John Mark, and he continued to nurture him. Later, Paul was in a filthy, Roman prison. Time had passed. In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul wrote: Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
How about that? This is the same guy that Paul wouldn’t have anything to do with in today’s passage. But later, he said, “Bring him. He is profitable to me for the ministry.” How did that happen? Because there was a man named Barnabas, who refused to let go of a good man named Mark just because he failed. There are many around us who have failed, and they need you to help them be restored.
Who do you know who might feel stuck in past failure? How might God be calling you to provide spiritual encouragement? Take time this week to connect with someone you know who has failed and could use godly encouragement.
This devotional was written by Pastor/teacher Adrian Rogers. The Copyright owner is Love Worth Finding. Used with written permission. You may contact lwf.org and be blessed directly and freely by Biblical teaching.
