|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "Be Present At Our Table Lord"1 (Lyrics) |
In the Peanuts comic strip, Linus has his security blanket. Over a 35-year period, he experienced a love/hate relationship with this well-worn blanket. After all, it had been a part of his life from the very beginning. The blanket gave Linus comfort and support, but it also held him back when he really wanted to move forward with his life. In an odd way, I am reminded of this by the Bible story of blind Bartimaeus:
Mark 10:46-52 – They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. (NRSV)
Scripture has a way of opening our eyes to things that have gone unseen, like the little phrase, "throwing off his cloak", in this story. The character Bartimaeus had little in the way of possessions. Just maybe, that cloak constituted most of what he had — a garment for warmth at night, an article to catch a few coins from passersby, a bit of shade from the burning sun. It was the only security that he had in the dark and dangerous world of blindness and begging. How quickly he cast it off at the invitation of Jesus to come to Him!
It is hard to give up the security that we have for the hope of something better. Bartimaeus never hesitated for a moment — "he sprang up and came to Jesus" — and his life was never the same again. Not only was the cloak part of his past, but so too was his blindness, his begging, his brokenness. A new life awaited him as he "followed [Jesus] on the way".
Many things present themselves as security in this life, and many of them hinder us from stepping out in faith, like the rich young man who walked sadly away from Jesus because he could not leave the security of his riches behind him (Matthew 19:16-22).
What is your security blanket? Do you find it in possessions or prestige or power or wealth or …? The one security that we are promised that will never fail us is the love and presence of God in our lives.
Prayer: God of new life, we yearn for Your presence and the renewing power that it holds. Your grace is our security. Your strength is our courage. Your love is our saving power. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share on Facebook Send your feedback to the author Leave a comment
Friend: "April 28, 2025: Leah and Wanda both need physical healing. They have been sick for a while. I ask..." 
OAD: "Update April 28, 2025: Please pray for G and S. G's kidney replacement. G has been rendered..." 
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Thank you.
Amen Kenn!
Thanks for the perspective, Kenn.
Thanks, Kenn for a wonderful reading today.
Thanks for this challenging Devotional, Kenneth.
Forwarded it to my son. Really helps me. Thank you, Ken.
Thank you, Kenn, for this encouraging devotional! Blessings.
Beautiful thought – I need to pray about that idea. Thank you.
Thank you, Kenn, for this new insight into the blind man’s story.
Good morning Kenn, good devotional on security, thank you. Blessings.
I truly enjoyed reading your devotion this morning. Thank you for sharing.
Kenn, thank you for this perspective about security blankets and trust in God.
You’ve made an excellent point, Kenn, and expressed it very well. Thank you!
Thank-you for your “good” word this morning Kenn. Blessing to you this fine day.
So well said, Kenn… wish I were more like Bartimaeus!
(Texas)
Inspirational post and great reminder of what’s most important, Kenn! Thanks and God bless!
Good morning, Ken, Thanks for your reflection. Good question. Also great scripture. One of my favorites. Good question there, too.
Hi Ken, thanks for all your Messages, I have been using them at our meetings at devotional time.
Blessings.
Kenn
Always good to hear your words of wisdom.
May the Lord bless you and continue to make you a blessing to your church and your community!
Dear Kenneth,
I liked the analogy in your message today of the blind man’s cloak and what might be our security blanket. (good food for thought)
(On)
Hi
I’ve been thinking it was time to read something from you and here you are today.
Thanks for your message.
Hope all is well in your world.
Greetings Kenn,
Thank you for another of your very mindful devotionals today. We need be ever thankful for the rewards we receive by being faithful to our Lord. He is ever present to hear our pleas and guide us to the very best outcomes in our situations. Blessings for your writings.
Hello Kenn
Thank you for this today. It makes a person think for sure. When I was reading the thoughts of hoarders came to my mind. It is true, when we get rid of our security blanket, or our precious possessions etc. the freedom we have in Jesus and could not help but think how much freedom hoarders would have if they got rid of all that stuff, spiritually and worldly.
God bless.
Hello, Kenn,
I read your devotional in today’s PresbyCan, forwarded to me by my friend.
I enjoyed the devotional so much. I had never noticed that Bartimaeus “threw off his cloak” and appreciated your pointing out the significance of that. May we all learn to let go of the things that we think are our security, including old ways of doing things(!) to put our trust in the One who never leaves us.
I hope you are coping well with this COVID time and able to enjoy your family and the lovely area you live in.
Blessings!
Good morning Kenn,
I really appreciate when someone explains the importance of a phrase in scripture that I have skipped over many times focusing on the bigger picture. The importance of this cloak to Bartimaeus and the importance of security in our own lives is huge. Many people who lived through the big depression and the wars, saved many items like string, wrapping paper, nails, etc. because they might need it one day. It was security to them. That generation influenced the next generation in a similar way (which is my generation). My children’s generation have lived through a more prosper time and it has influenced their form of security.
When you link that to our faith and the security we gain from our trust in the Lord, it opens up more thoughts. Do I trust in God, or do I try to have the security by my own will and power? I definitely feel that God is there for me and loves me unconditionally, but I also know that I am careful to have the security of my home, my family, my friends, and money. I have struggled with this way of life and prayed to God for greater understanding around this.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this “security”. May you continue to inspire others. Blessings.
Thanks for this Kenn.
Thank you, Kenn, for your good words today, and your strong uplifting prayer. God bless you in this new and questionable year.