Matthew 12:43-45 Return of an Unclean Spirit

Many people were following Jesus for the benefits of healing and exorcism. Many had demons cast out of them recovering their sight, hearing, even health becoming decent citizens of their communities once again. Unfortunately, many of the people who had their demons cast out did not repent and submit to Jesus as the Son of God, but continued their lives without him. Some thinking he was a great prophet. Others thinking he was a great healer. Maybe even some thought he was just a good man. I wonder if there were some who got convinced by the Pharisees that Jesus was acting in the name of Beelzebul.

Jesus warns them with this short parable that the liberation from the power of darkness will be short lived because the disembodied spirits will return with reinforcements to claim their habitat. Evil spirits are not content to be disembodied, but continue to seek ways to have a “home.” Jesus exorcism swept clean and ordered the house, but it continues to be empty unless they embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior. The fate of that evil generation would be such that their last state would be worse than the first. To follow Jesus is not just to have our mess cleaned up by him, but to be filled with his presence as we submit to his lordship.

Lord, help me surrender to you my whole life. May I not be content with you cleaning up my messes, but help me yearn for your presence in me.

Psalm 24 The King of Glory

The presence of God is a very important subject in the Scriptures. Psalm 24 addresses the issue like this: God is the Creator of all there is in the heavens, on the earth, in the sea, and in the sky, whether things or creatures, all has been created by God. Not only that, but God is the rightful owner of it all including our own lives. So how can we be in the presence of such an awesome God???

The requirements to stand in God's presence are pretty demanding. We must have clean hands, a pure heart, never lift our souls to what is false, and never swear deceitfully. Where are we going to find someone like that? Well the answer is right there in Psalm 24:5-6 "He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness form the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob." In other words, God himself saves us and makes us righteous transforming us into his people. It is his doing; all we need is to seek him.

This majestic God is not content to remain in the heavens to have us try to reach him. God makes his entry into human time and space to commune with us. The ark of the covenant was for that purpose - that God might dwell in the midst of his people. As the ark was carried through the gates, it was the very presence of God coming in and the gatekeepers would ask who was coming in: The King of glory! The Lord, strong and mighty. The Lord, mighty in battle. The Lord of hosts.

The ark of the covenant was only a shadow of what was to come. God clothed himself in the flesh and made his dwelling among us. Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to save us and transform us into his people. At his death on the cross, the veil that kept the ark of the covenant separate from people was torn allowing God's presence to be available to all by his grace. And after his resurrection, he sent us his Holy Spirit to indwell us so that his presence might be with us until the end of time. Who is this King of glory? Jesus Christ, the Son of God, he is the King of Glory!

Father, may I never take for granted your presence in my life. You paid a high price to allow me to come near you. May I walk with you every day of my life. Amen.

Psalm 15 Heart of Worship

Psalm 15 asks the questions:"O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?" The answer to these questions describes the kind of person that is welcome in God's presence; the kind of worshipper that perks God's interest. Jesus described the kind of worshipper the Father is seeking. In his words:

John 4:23 "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

 The description of the ideal worshipper highlights heart issues and not form. It goes deep into the motivations and desires of a person. The one who is acceptable in God's presence is one who goes beyond the practice of the Law into the spirit of the Law. Take note of some of the things mentioned: walks blamelessly, does what is right, speaks truth in his heart, does not slander with his tongue, does no evil to his neighbor, does not take a reproach against his friend.

If we take seriously our worship to our God, if we desire to live in his presence, we must strive to be people of character and integrity as described by Psalm 15. Not that we have achieved such status, but that we are striving for it with all our hearts. This psalm is a good mirror for me to take a look at who I really am and evaluate my intentions and motivations in my daily conduct. It cuts through performances and appearances to address the heart.

The person that practices these things with honesty and sincerity, not only enjoys the presence of God in his life, but also has the promise of stability - "shall never be moved." The promise of stability is not only for this life in the here and now, but it is for all eternity.

Father, change my heart to be one who desires to be in your presence more than anything else in life. Transform my motives and desires to match yours so that I may develop character and live a life of integrity with the promise of stability forever. Amen.