Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, December 3, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-12-03-2018

This is devotional thought number 8 in our devotional series, “The Gospel According to Matthew.”

“When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8:16–17).

Word! Words are powerful! Although I understand the concept behind little ditty that says, “Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” it’s actually rubbish. That’s why the Bible says that the power of life and death is in the tongue. That’s why there are hate speech laws on the books in different parts of the world. That’s why the #wordsmatter has taken on a life of its own. Words are powerful and must be used responsibly.

As much as I agree with myself here (obviously), our words are not even close to as powerful as our God’s. The Bible says, “For he spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” (Psalm 33:9). In other cases, God commanded the light to appear; blind eyes to be opened; deadly diseases to abate; and death to give way to life. God’s words are so powerful that He cannot lie, because whatever He says comes to pass. If it is nighttime and He announces, “It’s daytime,” it immediately becomes daytime. Why? It is so, because God said so!

Did you take note of the way Jesus banished the many devils that plagued the people He encountered? Maybe it slipped by you. The Bible says that He cast out the spirits with a word! Pause. He … cast … out … the many … evil … spirits … with .... a … word! If you are not clear how stubborn these powerful evil spirits are, let me direct you attention to a little incident that happened in the first century, A.D. “God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.” (Acts 19:11–16, NLT). There’s probably nothing more for me to add here. Suffice it to say, not everyone can just say a word to evil spirits, and they obey. However, when Jesus does, they have no choice. When the One to created all thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, and all things visible and invisible commands the devils to do something, they MUST do it. Full stop.

Is there anything troubling your spiritual life right now? Are you bound by some sinful habit and cannot seem to get free from it? The same loving Jesus who spoke the nonexistent into existence, is available to speak His promises of victory over every besetting sin into your life! His words are so powerful that He can command a willing heart to go and sin no more just like He did for the woman caught in the very act of adultery. God’s words are powerful! Are you willing to accept them?

This has been the gospel according to Matthew. Be transformed by it.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)