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Sunday, April 12, 2009
Destruction and Victory
Near that place there was a large herd of pigs feeding. The
demons begged Jesus, "If you make us leave these men, please
send us into that herd of pigs." Jesus said to them, "Go!" So
the demons left those men and went into the pigs. Then the
whole herd of pigs ran down the hill and into the lake. All
the pigs drowned in the water.
-- Matthew 8:30-32 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Two truths are powerfully illustrated by these verses. First, Jesus
commands and demons must obey. He is superior to them. They cannot
stand against him. Second, the goal of the demonic world is to destroy.
The plight of the men possessed -- unclothed, out of their mind,
self-destructive, living in the place of the dead, isolated from people
-- and the ultimate end of the herd of pigs both remind us that the
demonic world, no matter how alluring or seductive or powerful, has as
its goal our destruction. The crucifixion of Jesus, which lies ahead,
will be the place that Jesus' superiority will ultimately conflict with
the demonic world's desire to destroy. For three days it appears as if
the demonic world will win. Jesus' triumphant resurrection is the great
reminder that he is Lord. He has the power to defeat every enemy. Our
ultimate victory in Jesus is assured just as surely as their ultimate
defeat is certain.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy God, please give me wisdom to see through the temptations of Satan
and the allure of the demonic world. Don't let me ever forget that
Satan's ultimate desire for me is my complete physical, spiritual, and
social destruction. Thank you for sending Jesus to absorb the demonic
world's blows intended for me and to free me from the power of death
forever. In the mighty name of Jesus, your Son and my Savior, I pray.
Amen.
>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
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>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0412-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+8:30-32&sr=1&t=erv
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