Daily Lectionary: Exodus 39:32-40:16; Luke 8:22-39

[Jesus] rebuked the wind and the raging waves. . . [and] the demons came out of the man. (Luke 8:24, 33)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It is easy in life to feel overpowered and outgunned. I was pretty big in high school and during my third year on the varsity squad as a defensive end rushing quarterbacks, there were not many offensive linemen who could stop me. But one Friday night under the lights, the offensive lineman was 6’7″ and weighed a lot more than I did, and he was lightning fast. I had the most humiliating game of my high school football career. There was nothing I could do against this guy. I tried to go high, I tried to go low, around, fake, twist. . . nothing. He was more powerful than me.

There are many things that can happen to us that make us feel totally weak, helpless, and unable to get through. This is what poor sinners experience. But thanks be to God, that our Heavenly Father sent Jesus! When our LORD conducted His public ministry He led disciples who were just people like us. They knew limitations and they were easily scared. For example, who wouldn’t be upset in the face of a storm that you thought might kill you? Who wouldn’t be afraid of someone possessed by many demons? Well, there was someone unafraid. You know who that was: Jesus. Why wasn’t He afraid? Easy answer: Because He is the One and only One who has all power. He did not simply come to proclaim your salvation, but He had and has the power to accomplish it! He has power over the wind and raging waves; and He has power to command and control the strongest demons. So powerful is the LORD that even death was too weak for Him. Our sin, the world, and the devil cannot get by Him, not over, not under, not around. . . He is just too strong and that is why we are 100% safe in the arms of Savior Jesus.

Just one more thing. Sometimes atheists argue this way: “If God is all powerful and all good, then why hasn’t He done anything about all the evil in the world?” Their question has a mistaken presupposition: They are assuming God has not done anything about the evil! Yes, He has! He sent Jesus! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, You have prepared for those who love You such good things as surpass our understanding. Cast out all sins and evil desires from us, and pour into our hearts Your Holy Spirit to guide us into all blessedness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our LORD, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch