Get with the strength

‘When a strong man, with all his weapons ready, guards his own house, all his belongings are safe. But when a stronger man attacks him and defeats him, he carries away all the weapons the owner was depending on and divides up what he stole.’ (verses 21,22)

Read Luke 11:14-23

I’m writing this devotion during the Soccer World Cup and, being a keen follower of sport, I’ve watched quite a few matches. With soccer now such an international game, a local team can be made up of players from many different countries, and a country’s national team may be composed of people who never play together except when they play for their country. This creates special challenges for national coaches, not least of which is putting together a harmonious and united team.

Jesus uses a similar picture when he is accused of casting out demons by the devil’s power. He talks about families that are internally divided and countries that are racked by civil war. He goes on to insist, however, that he is not a troublemaker on the devil’s team. Instead, he is on God’s team, and his power to drive out demons shows that God’s team is the winning team, the champion team.

As you look at today’s world with all its troubles and turmoil, or as you look at your own life and rue the mistakes you have made or your moral weakness, you may begin to believe that the devil is winning. But Jesus wants you to look to him and to remember his love for sinners, his bravery in the face of evil and, most of all, his victorious resurrection from death. Here is the proof that God is stronger than Satan.

So be encouraged, and get with the strength. Trust in Jesus as your champion. When you are on his side, you will always be on the winning side.

Thank you, Jesus, for demonstrating your love for me and your power over the devil. Help me now to be courageous as I struggle against the evil in me and the evil in the wider world. Amen.

by John Vitale, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)

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