Today’s reading is Luke 11:1-12:59.

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spiritis more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state is worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26).

I have learned that making a change is not the same as quitting something. I’ve quit bad things a thousand times only to wonder how they got even worse later. Making a change means putting something in its place. Jesus uses the metaphor of spiritual possession to talk about a changed life. We may “cast out the demon” and tidy up the heart. But if we do not invite a different spirit to live there, the evil one will return with a vengeance.

I’ve learned that I invite the Spirit to dwell in my heart by spending time in God’s word, by spending time in vulnerable, intimate prayer, by spending time with others who are making changes, by calling someone and talking to them about what is happening when it seems the “evil spirit” is trying to get back in, by getting outside myself and serving others, by singing, by listening to others, by teaching others, by meditating on God. As these things change my life, I can’t describe the joy and peace they bring. In this case, the last state is much better than the first and even than the second.

I need to spend some time today inviting the Spirit to take residence within me so the evil spirits won’t have any room.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What did you get out of today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 23:1-24:53.

I can hardly fathom, hanging on a cross in immense torment and agony, dying, but then crying out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46). What absolute trust. What absolute surrender.

Jesus was quoting Psalm 31:5. Just listen to the beginning of that Psalm: “In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”

We know how the story ends so this statement may not seem as powerful as it really was. Having seen the end, we know Jesus was wise to commit His spirit into the Father’s hands. He was going to be resurrected on the third day. He was going to be delivered. But thing of this from the stand point of hanging on the cross. Think of this from the standpoint of being in the midst of the separation of the Father. How hard it must have been to look at the big picture of where all this would lead when distracted by the intense agony both physically and spiritually. Yet, Jesus trusted the Father.

I need to learn this kind of trust. Letting God be my refuge doesn’t mean I’ll never suffer. It means I know God will use it for good and I trust His knowledge of the big picture of my life, the lives around me, and eternity.

This helps me knowing that God if God is letting me go through some suffering, He has His reasons that will be for my good in the long run. When I actually have this concept firmly in my mind and heart, it produces a peace that passes understanding. I don’t have to live in fear that something awful might happen. If it does, I can know that God is working. He is my refuge. He is my stronghold. He is my deliverer. Instead of taking my spirit into my own hands, I can commit it into the hands of my loving, faithful Creator who really does have my best intentions at heart.

I’m going to make this prayer of Jesus a regular prayer for me, especially if I’m in the midst of something that I don’t like.

Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?