In Mark 4, the disciples were crossing over to the other side. When God gives us an assignment, the winds and waves will come. Our faith will be tested. Crossing over is about moving to our next season of Gods purpose for our lives. The disciples must have anticipated exciting new adventures as they heeded the call to cross over. So imagine everyones surprise when the first confirmation of their heavenly assignment is a demon-possessed man... Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. (Mark 5:1-4 NKJV) We pray for God to use us. We cry out and seek His face for more - that we can touch more people, use our gifts, be given more opportunities to minister, and reach out to others. But this is likely not what any of us would have in mind. Difficult people come in every variety: Mean, critical, harsh, cruel, insecure, hateful, cursing, stubborn, rebellious, hurtful. This Gadarene demoniac was all of this and more...a man enslaved to sin, curses, mental illness, wickedness. Does he sound like anyone you know? The difficult co-worker - family member - store employee - whomever they are, and for whatever reason, God has placed this person in your path. You cant get rid of him or her. You cant move away, relocate, or escape his or her presence. Jesus had compassion on this man. He could see through the sin - the cruel nature - revealing the pain of a tortured soul . He delivered this demon-possessed man from the torment of the enemy... However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. (Mark 5:19-20 NKJV) So all Im saying is be prepared for God to answer your prayer to be used in ways you may not expect. You may just be the answer to a prayer for that cantankerous person that you despise. You never know what God might have in store for such a person.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:05:52 +0000
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