What Are You Rejoicing In? - Daily Devotional September 18th 2009

Daily Bible Reading - 1 Chronicles 1, Ezekiel 14, Luke 10

What Are You Rejoicing In

At the beginning of Luke 10 Jesus has given the disciples power and authority to carry out the great commission of preaching the gospel. Upon their return from one of their journeys in vs. 17 it says, "The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" These disciples were filled with great joy that they had power to cast out demons and work signs and wonders. This is a great thing for sure but listen to what Jesus says to them. Luke 10:20, "...do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." I don't think that Jesus was being a kill joy I think he was warning the disciples to make sure to keep the right perspective.

Whether it is in a situation like this that pertains to spiritual matters or whether it is in a position one has on a job we must understand that the authority we have is not something that we hold over people or just use for use sake. Authority is an an honor bestowed upon us by God or an employer to fulfill a greater purpose. Romans 13:1 tells us that all authority has been given by God. God does nothing without a purpose therefore we understand that if you are in a place of authority it has purpose to it. In the case of the disciples the purpose was to extend the Kingdom of God through people being saved. I believe what Jesus was doing in this instance was getting them to see the greater purpose at hand.

Matthew 7:21-23 says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." Wow! Think about this verse for a minute. Jesus is saying, you can have all the power in the world to do all of these things but if you do not have a relationship with Me what good is it. Therefore He states in Luke 10:20 to rejoice that your name is written in heaven or that you have a relationship with Him.

What are you rejoicing in today? Are you rejoicing in a position or in power. Or are you rejoicing in the fact that you have a relationship with your heavenly father through Jesus Christ? Take some time today and look and see what you are rejoicing in.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - 1 Chronicles 2, Ezekiel 15, Luke 11

Dream Big
Ben