TO CHEW ON: "Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.... So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere." Luke 9:1-2,6
Today as I read this passage I am conflicted. Coming at this time it seems an almost cruel reminder of my own lack of power and authority. For I am writing this far from home. We have gathered to be near my brother who is in palliative care.
"Palliative." That adjective says it all. He has, the doctor says, two weeks to live at most.
We have prayed for him to be healed, but so far God has not answered yes to that prayer. Many thoughts crowd in...If only Jesus were here — He could heal him. But we have the Holy Spirit, the spirit of Jesus. So why is he not healed? Is it sin in our lives, or lack of faith or simply not claiming and acting on the authority we have?
Jack Hayford comments about this passage:
"The Gospel throbs with confidence in the full transparency of power and authority for ministry by Jesus to His disciples then and now:
- We may expect victory over the power of darkness and their operation (Luke 10:19).
- We are assigned to "do business" as authorized representatives of our Lord until He returns (Luke 19:13).
- We are promised the Father's pleasure "to give" us the kingdom that is to supply us with His peace and power (Luke 12:32).
Dominion over evil has been given, but we can expect to see spiritual breakthrough to the degree we receive and apply that authority in prayer, preaching, teaching and personal ministry." Jack Hayford - "Authority for Ministry" Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1403.
So far my brother has not been healed. But I will keep praying for that until he takes his last breath. For I believe that physical healing is part of the atonement ("...by His stripes we are healed") and if God has more earthly purposes for my bro to fulfill, he will be healed.
PRAYER: Dear God, I long to see more of Your power evident in my life as authority over sickness and evil. Am I missing something. Please show me. Amen.
MORE: "Come Walk Among Us"
Michael Hansen wrote this beautiful prayer asking for Jesus' presence. Here is a snippet. (It's on the Freedom / Kelly Carpenter, Loralee Thiessen & Michael Hansen (Cafe 4)" project.)
Do your 8-12-year-olds have daily devotions? Point them to Bible Drive-Thru.
No comments:
Post a Comment