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May the Lord bless you as you listen and reflect on his word. I pray that it will not be another burden on your day, but by the grace of the Spirit, help you to rest in Jesus.\xa0

Mark 7:24-37.

Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

\u201cFirst let the children eat all they want,\u201d he told her, \u201cfor it is not right to take the children\u2019s bread and toss it to the dogs.\u201d

\u201cLord,\u201d she replied, \u201ceven the dogs under the table eat the children\u2019s crumbs.\u201d

Then he told her, \u201cFor such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.\u201d

She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man\u2019s ears. Then he spit and touched the man\u2019s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, \u201cEphphatha!\u201d (which means \u201cBe opened!\u201d). At this, the man\u2019s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. \u201cHe has done everything well,\u201d they said. \u201cHe even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.\u201d

Isaiah 35:4-7

Say to those whose hearts are afraid, \u201cBe strong and do not fear. Your God will come. He will pay your enemies back. He will come to save you.\u201d

Then the eyes of those who are blind will be opened. The ears of those who can\u2019t hear will be unplugged. Those who can\u2019t walk will leap like a deer. And those who can\u2019t speak will shout for joy. Water will pour out in dry places. Streams will flow in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool of water. The thirsty ground will become bubbling springs.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep rest in his peace. May Almighty God bless, preserve, and keep us, this day and forevermore.\xa0 Amen.