Still useful - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
2 Timothy 4:11

Still useful
Mark accompanied Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey. On the way, however, he separated from them and returned to Jerusalem. Apparently he lacked perseverance in serving the Lord.

About five years later, when Paul and Barnabas were planning to embark on their second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take his nephew, Mark, with him again. However, Paul was against it because this co-worker had not proven himself. So, there was acrimony between Paul and Barnabas on account of Mark.

Then about ten years passed until the apostle urged the believers in Colosse, “If he (Mark) comes to you, welcome him” (Colossians 4:10). From this we can conclude that Mark had acknowledged his failure in service and that his relationship with Paul had been restored.

Another five years later Paul asked his co-worker Timothy to bring Mark with him, “for he is useful to me for ministry.” Now there had been a complete restoration and the Lord could use him again in His work. Finally, Mark was even privileged to write the Gospel about the perfect servant.

This example impressively shows that God can make useful servants out of failures. This doesn’t happen overnight because it requires a thorough work in the heart. But when the divine goal is achieved, His grace shines all the brighter.

Today’s reading: Job 3:1-26 · Acts 5:33-42