“Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.” (Mark 12:24)

The Sadducees often attempted to stump Jesus. They never could. No matter the farcical tale they threw at him, he easily read through their intent and revealed their true motives.

In Mark 12, they weaved an imaginary story of a woman who married seven brothers consecutively, when one by one the brothers die. “In the resurrection, whose wife will she be?” they queried Jesus.

With one succinct response, the Great Physician diagnosed their precise spiritual malady and surgically sliced through their nonsense. They were dead wrong on two pivotal accounts: they were completely unfamiliar with the Scriptures and with God himself.

Most of our derailing falls into these two categories as well. Usually, when we are off base or clueless in our choices, the root problem stems from not knowing and applying God’s Word and not experiencing God’s power. Like the Sadducees, we like to throw him incredulous questions. Why is this portion of my life disjointed? Why are you making me wait? How can I manage this rotten situation?

Jesus bends his mouth close to our ears and whispers through the psalmist, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path…The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:105,130).

Father, into my cloudy thoughts beam the brightness of your Word. Spread your light before my feet so I discern exactly where you want me to go.