Today's Devotion

Bible Reading: Mark 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

One of the attractions of the mystic "religions" such as Wicca, atheism, Hinduism, Buddhism, is that they offer in some way some power over the world around them. In Wicca, for instance, the power of witchcraft is seductive because it involves power over others using the spirit-world. Atheism is seductive in that it involves self-actualization (really, this is humanism) and overcoming others to succeed before death finally fully overcomes. Hinduism and Buddhism offer a self-earned victory over the this stage of life in hopes of a better "next" life on the path to a "nirvana" of sorts.

What a contrast to the picture Jesus offers us. The Scriptures not only declare, but give specific examples of Jesus' deity - and all creation needed to seek Him for any hope of relief of current circumstances. All things are in His power, not ours. Our submission to God is the way to victory, not creation's submission to us. The leper and the possessed, the fisherman and the emperor all must submit to Christ if there is hope of salvation. Jesus was made sin for us, though He was no sinner Himself. Faith and submission to His will is the way to letting Him take our sins and cleanse us. It is His will that we do this.

Jesus' will is sovereign. He is creator. He is judge. He is the justifier of all who put their trust in Him. He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, putting men on thrones and taking them off again. He is over all, and He cares for you. Moved with compassion upon this lowly, deformed person, said, I will; be thou clean. When He wills a thing, it cannot be stopped. No power on earth or in heaven is greater; no power can thwart the power of God. He who is saved is saved to the uttermost. He who is forgiven is forgiven of all, forever. He who is clean is spotless, without blemish.

Blessed is the one who has learned to lean upon Him, upon His will, upon His word. Will you trust Him today, and not your own powers? Will you learn to accept His will for you as good? What a relief it is to NOT force our will in this world, for in taking His will for our own, we see His mighty power at work accomplishing it always before our eyes.

Bro. Greg