“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you” ( Luke 10:19)
The occupations we hold in life impact on us to behave in a certain way. Someone trained as an accountant would always be interested in how things add up with an eye on profit or surplus. Teachers enjoy sharing knowledge. For soldiers their way of training is to listen to orders and carry out instructions from above unquestioningly.
When one soldier heading a battalion happened to have a critical member of his squad fall sick, he also heard of Jesus. Without wasting he rushed to him, and typically addresed him as any trained soldier would. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it” ( Mathew 8:6-8).
Now, Jesus was used to meeting all manner of people, but this one knocked him off. “When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” ( vv 10). Looking at the centurion he said, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment” ( vv 13).
As Believers, Jesus has passed on this authority to us. The centurion had to run to him; we, who follow Christ, have been given the greatest authority on earth. It is the authority to overcome any powers of the enemy that dare upon us: financial stress, health challenges, relational nightmares, you name it! May we never hesitate to use that authority Jesus left in our hands!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have given us authority to trample the powers of darkness today I pray to use that authority to arrest and overcome any force that stands in my way against your kingdom, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
Related upcoming events
-
03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
