Friday, July 15, 2022

July 15, 2022

Luke 10: 17 (NIV)
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
Don’t strive to find more power in your faith; rest your faith in the Source of all power.*
We don’t see much demon possession today. I have read speculation that the reason for so much demonic activity in Jesus’ day was that Satan was afraid. He knew Jesus was a threat but he didn’t know exactly what the plan was so he ramped up his evil plots to combat whatever God had in store. But just because demon possession is practically unheard of – at least in the USA – it doesn’t mean demonic activity is on the wane. Satan hasn’t gone on vacation. If you watch the news, you are aware of demonic activity around the world.

In this verse, we find that the seventy-two appointed by Jesus to go ahead of him to his destinations were thrilled to report to him their new-found power over demons. Jesus gently pointed out to the seventy-two (verse 20) that their rejoicing should not be because demons submitted to them but because their “names are written in heaven.” We don’t have the same miraculous power that Jesus gave to his disciples but as we are reminded in the spirit-filled words of Peter, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4: 12)

We wage personal battles with evil every day. Do you have an addiction? Are you a worrier? Do you struggle with depression, fear, or illness? Is your marriage in trouble? Have you wandered from God? We must seek the saving power of the name of Jesus before we can receive the overcoming power of his name.  Accept his saving power and, whatever your demon, it will submit to you in Jesus’ name.
The grace of God that saves us is also the same grace that sustains us.*

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