Today’s reading: Joshua 14-15; Luke 4:33-44
12 So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.” Joshua 14:12
36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” Luke 4:36
God rules over all people and all events in human history. This truth comes through in today’s readings as it does on every page of the Bible.
Caleb, who along with Joshua was one of two adult survivors of the Exodus from Egypt, appeals to Joshua to grant him the hill country of Hebron as his inheritance in the land. Caleb, demonstrating, not doubt but, humility and an unassuming air, expressed his dependence on the Lord to be with him so that he could be successful in clearing the enemy Anakim out of the territory he desired. The Anakim were a tall and frightening group of warriors whom the spies had met 40 years earlier when they went in to spy out the land. Joshua granted Caleb his request and blessed him. The effort was successful because the Lord had authority over the Anakim and all the other great pretenders of this world.
Jesus had authority over every kind of disease. He healed Simon’s mother of a fever so quickly and completely that she immediately resumed her duties as hostess and homemaker as if nothing had occurred. The townspeople lined up to have Jesus heal them, too. Whatever sickness they had, he graciously healed. But what seems to have gotten their attention was his power over unclean spirits. A demonic man made a scene in the synagogue, screaming out his fear of being destroyed by Jesus. He even said accurately that Jesus was the “Holy One of God.” The demon threw the man down, but Jesus commanded him to be silent and come out of him, which he did. The crowd was stunned at this demonstration of power.
Do you have confidence in the power and authority of God over this world? The triune God has revealed Himself, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God in three persons who rules over all the universe. Through the grace of Jesus His Son, the Father gives His Spirit to live in His children. All power and authority belongs to Him. In Christ, you belong to Him who has power and authority over everyone and everything. Fear not. Trust Him who reigns over all.
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