READING:
One-year plan: Judges 1-3, Luke 10:1-24
Two-year plan: Leviticus 17-18, Mark 1:29-45
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It’s easy to get caught up in seeking power. It’s easy, in fact, to think we’re something—especially when it appears God is working through us in our ministry setting. Others look to us as godly spiritual leaders, and it’s not a great distance between their praises and our ego. Just a few affirmations of us can be dangerous.
Our Luke text reminds us of that truth today. The dozens Jesus had sent out in the early part of the chapter later returned with great joy, declaring that “even the demons submit to us in your name” (Luke 10:17). Jesus quickly corrected them, though, with His own words, “Don’t rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). The Christ followers rejoiced that they were powerful; Jesus, however, reminded them that the story wasn’t about them in the first place.
So, when the enemy dangles power in front of us—and it will likely happen to all of us at some point—we need to remember why we must rejoice. It’s not because we’re powerful, but because the all-powerful God lives within us.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you ever want more power like the world offers?
PRAYER: “Continually remind me, God, about why I must rejoice.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Judges 4-6, Luke 10:25-11:13
Two-year plan: Leviticus 19, Mark 2:1-12