Today’s Reading: Isa 23:1–24:23, Luke 8:16–56, Job 5:17–27

Today’s Theme: The Powerful Jesus

Today’s theme is all about the power of Jesus, seen in His life, the ultimate victory and in us as His family.

By His power; demons bow, sickness is healed and death flees. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 23:1–24:23

The victory of God

They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; over the majesty of the LORD they shout from the west. Isaiah 24:14 (ESV)

Our OT reading today speaks about the last days, when all nations will be judged and the pride of men and their position will be of no use for them to escape judgement. The only escape is through the righteousness found in Christ.

The picture we have of the end is one where God is victorious on the earth, redeeming business and commerce for His glory. He will be praised by all nations, as we read in this verse.

This verse mentions the majesty of the Lord. God will rule as King, Jesus will return as King and rule over the earth.

Our theme today is the powerful Jesus found in our NT reading, but it is here in the OT that we see the ultimate end and fruit of Jesus’ mission to earth and of His great power.

Demons judged

On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth. They will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit; they will be shut up in a prison, and after many days they will be punished. Isaiah 24:21–22 (ESV)

We see another glimpse of the ultimate victory of God, the demons and devils will be judged, as well as man.

Jesus will send the demons to the pit to be punished, this is the event that the demons in our NT reading are referring to, they fear the great power of Jesus to judge them eternally consigning them to the bottomless pit.

Rejoice, our enemy will be judged and defeated by our powerful King Jesus.

Luke 8:16–56

Powerful, purposeful, useful lights

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Luke 8:16 (ESV)

We often pray for our communities, which is in line with this passage. Jesus inside us is the light, He is powerful, He shines brightly, the glory of Jesus is like nothing else.

As we submit our lives to Him, are filled with His word and faith in His word, as God the Holy Spirit lives in us and the fruit of God are seen, light will burst forth.

Do not hide; boldly, happily, brightly shine the light of God through acts of love and service, in every community God has called you to be a part of, where you live, where you study, where you work, where you fellowship, wherever you are.

As lights we have a purpose which is to shine to give illumination to others, to beat back the encroaching darkness of demons and men. Shine.

We are useful if we stand in such an open way, that others benefit from the light of our lives. We should enlighten each other and like lights on a runway, we should point sinners safely home to Jesus through the light of the public proclaimed Gospel.

Go, stand and shine today.

The family of Jesus

But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” Luke 8:21 (ESV)

You have a unique opportunity to be a part of the greatest family the earth will ever know, the family of Jesus.

Jesus is not blinded by bias toward His blood family, instead He sees the greatest value in His true family of believers.

If we call ourselves part of God’s family, we will obey Jesus, if we claim to love Him, we will obey Him.

Hear the word today and do it, prove yourself to be part of God’s family with our powerful Saviour, Jesus.

Demons bow

When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) Luke 8:28–29 (ESV)

Demons cannot stand in the presence of Jesus because of His great authority and power.

Demonic possession is a very dark state where the possessed person’s will is consumed by the demon(s), so although the man has bowed to Jesus, the demons have bowed too and it is they who speak to Jesus in their fear of early judgement.

Do not fear the power of demons, Jesus’ power is greater. Demons bow and are silenced in His presence and at His word, they must go. Hallelujah!

Power to heal

But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” Luke 8:46 (ESV)

This was an actual event in the life of Jesus but we can learn an allegorical lesson from it. The woman reached out and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and received power from Jesus, which brought healing in her body.

When the power of Jesus, the power in His word represented by His hem and our faith collide, God’s power is released for our healing. Reach out in faith and pull on the promises of God and the person of Jesus. In faith, receive the power of Jesus for your healing and deliverance.

Power over death

But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” Luke 8:54 (ESV)

Jesus our glorious Saviour has power over hell and death, one touch of His hand brings life and causes death to flee. When we trust in Jesus, we pass from death to life.

Jesus is the very power of life, in His presence death flees and the dead rise. I was dead but now I am alive in His presence. Hallelujah.

Job 5:17–27

Human thinking

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. Job 5:17 (ESV)

Sometimes our conclusions and thinking may seem right, but without insight from God, we cannot be sure and may be wrong. This principle is true, but is not the case with Job.

Ask God to take you beyond human reasoning today, to know the mind of the Spirit.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Luke 8