Today’s scripture: Matthew 8:28-34 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (E’sha Cooper):
My recent adventures with my two-month-old puppies have prompted me to learn about animal training. When you have six separate minds and 24 feet all with their own agenda, you need a way to keep yourself sane. The most consistent thing I have found is that when training, use mostly one word commands. So the experts say that “Stop”, “No”, “Sit” etc., will bring you the best results the quickest; and if you’ve had a pet before, you know it works.
In today’s passage we see how the Master uses the same idea to free two men possessed with demons. The demons were so vicious that people couldn’t even walk past that way. However, when they saw Jesus, they stopped in their tracks, crying and screaming and begging Him to send them into a herd of pigs and all Jesus said was, “Go.” And they went, and the herd of swine that they went into drowned in the sea.
What power! Crazed demons keeping everybody in the city from the grave site, and all Jesus told them to do was, “Go!” and they were gone.
Think about this on an earthly level. I have dogs that just wouldn’t sit still, or stop jumping on people, but when I said,”No”, they would stop. Teacup, my “vicious” small breed lap dog, can be in the middle of chasing the kids down the street, but when I say,”Stop”, he immediately turns around and runs back to me. My command dictates his direction, just like Jesus’ command dictated the demons’ direction, and just like your command dictates the direction of how situations will flow or how long they’ll stay in your life.
What situations or circumstances are keeping you from staying on your path? What demons have you so vexed that you’re prevented from getting closer to God? Follow the Master’s example and give them the command. No need for explanation why it should go or when it should go, just give a simple one word command. Tell temptation to ”Go!” Tell poverty to ”Go!” Tell sickness to “Go!” No matter what it is, Jesus has given you the power to speak to it and cast it out. (Luke 10:17-20)
Thought for the day: What situation do I need to speak to today?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.