“But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isaiah 54:17 NLT)

 

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus makes a fascinating statement that some have misunderstood. Speaking of believers, He says, “They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed” (Mark 16:18 NLT). Some Christians have taken the Lord’s words literally and incorporated snake-handling into their services. But that’s not trusting the Lord; that’s testing the Lord, something believers aren’t supposed to do (see Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 4:7).

Here’s what Jesus’ words in Mark 16 do mean: If you’re a Christian, then you’re indestructible until God is done with you. There is a day appointed for your death. And you have no say in when that day will come. Until that day, however, you can approach life with boldness and confidence. (That’s not to say that you should be reckless, however—see Jesus’ words in Matthew 4:7 again.)

That’s certainly what God’s Word encourages you to do. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (NLT).

The psalmist wrote, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NLT).

And the apostle Paul wrote, “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT).

He wrote from experience. Paul survived a shipwreck and found himself on an island. While warming himself by a fire in this environment, he was bitten by a venomous snake. Paul calmly shook off the snake into the fire. The people who witnessed the incident expected Paul to die from the bite. But he didn’t because his time wasn’t up.

Hebrews 9:27 says, “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment” (NLT). Paul had not yet reached his destination. He wasn’t about to let a snakebite keep him from the Lord’s work.

Likewise, there’s no need for you to worry on your Christian journey. That gives you the freedom to travel light, emotionally speaking. As Isaiah 54:17 says, “But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken” (NLT).

God will keep you and protect you in this world until He welcomes you into the next. So, be bold. Be courageous. As long as God has use for you, you’re indestructible.

 

Reflection question: What would spiritual boldness and courage look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! Stay updated on all important event details. 

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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

 

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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&ldquo;But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!&rdquo; (Isaiah 54:17 NLT)
&nbsp;
In Mark&rsquo;s Gospel, Jesus makes a fascinating statement that some have misunderstood. Speaking of believers, He says, &ldquo;They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won&rsquo;t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed&rdquo; (Mark 16:18 NLT). Some Christians have taken the Lord&rsquo;s words literally and incorporated snake-handling into their services. But that&rsquo;s not trusting the Lord; that&rsquo;s testing the Lord, something believers aren&rsquo;t supposed to do (see Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 4:7).
Here&rsquo;s what Jesus&rsquo; words in Mark 16 do mean: If you&rsquo;re a Christian, then you&rsquo;re indestructible until God is done with you. There is a day appointed for your death. And you have no say in when that day will come. Until that day, however, you can approach life with boldness and confidence. (That&rsquo;s not to say that you should be reckless, however&mdash;see Jesus&rsquo; words in Matthew 4:7 again.)
That&rsquo;s certainly what God&rsquo;s Word encourages you to do. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, &ldquo;So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you&rdquo; (NLT).
The psalmist wrote, &ldquo;God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble&rdquo; (Psalm 46:1 NLT).
And the apostle Paul wrote, &ldquo;But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one&rdquo; (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT).
He wrote from experience. Paul survived a shipwreck and found himself on an island. While warming himself by a fire in this environment, he was bitten by a venomous snake. Paul calmly shook off the snake into the fire. The people who witnessed the incident expected Paul to die from the bite. But he didn&rsquo;t because his time wasn&rsquo;t up.
Hebrews 9:27 says, &ldquo;And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment&rdquo; (NLT). Paul had not yet reached his destination. He wasn&rsquo;t about to let a snakebite keep him from the Lord&rsquo;s work.
Likewise, there&rsquo;s no need for you to worry on your Christian journey. That gives you the freedom to travel light, emotionally speaking. As Isaiah 54:17 says, &ldquo;But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken&rdquo; (NLT).
God will keep you and protect you in this world until He welcomes you into the next. So, be bold. Be courageous. As long as God has use for you, you&rsquo;re indestructible.
&nbsp;
Reflection question: What would spiritual boldness and courage look like in your life?&nbsp;<a href="https://disciple.harvest.org/spaces/17592429/feed?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestDiscipleship">Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!</a>
The Harvest Crusade is coming to Angel Stadium on July 11! <a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-crusade-2026/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=SoCal2026">Stay updated on all important event details</a>.&nbsp;
&mdash;
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
&nbsp;
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

God will keep and protect you in this world until He welcomes you into the next.