Heavenly Father, may we reflect You in all our actions in these up-and-coming days. That should be our goal every day but guide our thoughts, and tongues and actions. Amen.
Luke 8:26-39 (<<click to read the passage)
This is one of the passages that can make us squirm. Some may write it off as superstitious folly. Others go to the other extreme, embracing all things of the occult – TV shows and movies are replete with demonic characters. Some of them enjoy the “entertainment” aspect while others seek the power which they believe they can obtain by feverishly taking it all to heart.
So where does that leave those of us who have given ourselves over to the lordship of Jesus? Do we not take it seriously and pretend it doesn’t really exist? Or do we give the devil and his minions credit for every bit of evil, depravity, and disease that runs amuck in our world? Running to either end of the gamut is dangerous.
First of all, let me assure you, it is all real. There are too many instances throughout Scripture to discount the reality of demonic activity in the world.
But I must also stress that we must not credit the devil and his cohorts with having enough power to be behind all the evil that we find around us. They are active but we, in our sinful state, don’t need a whole lot of help perpetuating evil on a multitude of fronts!
So why didn’t Jesus just destroy these demons – or send them to the bottomless pit? Because the time for such work had not yet come. He healed many people of the destructive effects of demon possession, but he did not yet destroy demons. The same question could be asked today – why doesn’t Jesus stop all the evil in the world? His time for that has not yet come. But it will come. The book of Revelation portrays the future victory of Jesus over, Satan, his demons and all evil. * (emphasis mine)
Lord Jesus, so often the weight of this world is overwhelming, and we feel that we cannot take much more without our knees buckling under us. The pain is real. Evil and all of its personifications are real.
The Apostle Paul encourages us by saying,
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Ephesians 6:12 (AMP)
May we come to You, for You told us,
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
Amen.
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Mar 24th, 2020, Tues, 6:31 pm
