Bolder than demons
I was reading in Mark the other day about the story of Jesus casting out the demon named “legion”. Out of all the times I’ve read this scripture, this time something struck my spirit. I couldn’t help but notice the boldness of the demon in this story. We read in Mark Chapter 5 verses 7 and 10 that the demon begged Jesus not to cast him out of the country (or into the abyss, as documented by Luke).
7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. It all sounds like quite a normal request; I’d probably make the same request if found in that situation. But the bizarre thing is that Jesus listened to the demons request and obliged. I thought to myself, “Didn’t Jesus come to destroy the power of the demons and their master? Then why would he grant them their request?”
I don’t actually have the answer to that, other than it provided another opportunity for Jesus to show not only His authority but His nature and sovereignty. God doesn’t miss a beat; every event is an opportunity to display His glory.
There could be several spirit lead interpretations and life application on this insight, but the one that slammed me in the face was just how ready and willing our beautiful God and Saviour is to listen and to pour out blessings on His children. Sometimes passages such as Luke 11:9-13 become too familiar and eventually powerless when not held in true faith. Especially when our eyesight is dull to recognise God's answer to prayer and provision in life.
Luke 11:9-13 (Matt 7:7-11)
9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
I think God wanted to show me that even the demons made requests and had them answered. I felt like He was saying to me, “This is the character of your God, displayed against His enemy!!” If God is able and willing (at times; seen also in job) to grant the enemy his request then how much more is He desirous to heed our requests and oblige, just because He loves us? The demon new who Jesus was; his enemy, yet he had the boldness to ask of Him, even beg Him. How little we understand our God when we can’t even muster the boldness to enter into His presence let alone ask for something, knowing that it is His fatherly will to give us more than we could ever ask or imagine.
Now that’s incredibly powerful stuff from an awesomely powerful God.
In : Encouragement