“And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil… And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee” (KJV, Mark 5:16-19).
“And they that saw it”
Father, I thank You for Your revelation. You have shown me wonderful things that I have not deserved to see. You have shown me Your love for me in Your Son and the death He died so that I could live. You have shown me that You are for me and not against me. I see I am in Your hands; nothing can take me out of them.
You have brought about a wonderful deliverance in my life. I was a captive in Egypt, but You ransomed me. I was enslaved to sin and Satan, but the Captain of my salvation won a glorious victory on the cross. However, I know I only see Christ as in a mirror dimly, but one day I will see Him face to face.
“told them”
Please help me to honor You in the words I share with others. Teach me to speak wondrous things about You. You are worthy of being proclaimed and adored. I read in Your Word that I must confess Christ to a dying world. I must learn to be open about my faith and not seek to cover the lamp and drown out the light.
The words of Jesus are convicting. If I do not confess Christ before others, He will not confess me before You. I know works do not save me. Therefore, I must conclude that if I am a Christian, I will talk about Jesus. Please help me to confirm my calling and election.
“how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil”
Father, I realize that my battle is not against flesh and blood. You have told me that this life will consist of spiritual attack. When Adam and Eve were in the Garden, Satan tempted them to eat the fruit You told them not to eat. May I never think that Satan has finished his work. He still prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.
However, I am encouraged by Your Word. You have shown me the greatness of Jesus. You have shown me the might of my Savior and His ability to overpower the enemy. Although I am not stronger than Satan and his legions, I know One Who is stronger. Jesus has promised to help me. Help me to stay near to Him.
“And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts”
It is incredible to see the people were more concerned about their livestock than Jesus. Knowing Jesus does not mean everything will be easy for me. When Jesus entered their town, they lost all their pigs. Thus, they lost their money. However, what took place was for the best, and who knows what would have happened had they turned to Jesus and wanted Him to stay.
Instead, they told Jesus to leave. May I never look to my circumstances and desire for Jesus to leave me. Even if things get tough, teach me to cherish Jesus and believe that You are working all things for my good.
“And when he was come into the ship”
Thank You for the ministry of Jesus. In Your Word, I often see Jesus traveling to share the good news of His coming. I remember when Jesus and the disciples were caught in the storm.
What peace Jesus displayed amid such trying circumstances. The disciples were scared, and for fear of death woke their Savior. I find that I can be more like the disciples rather than Christ. I, too, can respond in fear rather than faith.
I pray that You will increase my faith this day and help me to trust in You. May I never forget that Christ is in my boat. He is with me, and I am with Him. He will never leave or forsake me but will ensure I make it through the storm.
“he that had been possessed with the devil”
It is remarkable to see the power of Christ. Jesus cleansed lepers. He gave sight to the blind. He made the lame walk and the mute talk. But here I am, confronted with Jesus’ authority over demonic forces.
Sometimes I take too much of the burden of this life on myself. I can see the war I am in but often fight in my own strength.
Teach me what it means for You to be my shield. Show me how to abide under the shadow of Your wings and trust in Your care. You will fight for me, and may I never forget it.
“prayed him that he might be with him”
While the people of the land wanted Jesus to depart, the man with the legion wanted to go with Jesus. Help me to desire to be with Jesus more. May I always long to be by my Savior’s side. He is worthy of my attention and focus. However, I realize there are things I must do to stay by His side. I cannot live however I want and expect to be close to Jesus.
There is a path that Jesus is traveling on, and I need to learn to walk it. I can find Jesus in Your Word and walk the path through faith and obedience to Your Word. I realize that my relationship with You is based upon grace and always will be. However, I also see that I will abide in Christ in greater measure when I apply Your Word to my life.
“Howbeit Jesus suffered him not”
While the man wanted to go with Jesus, I see that Jesus had another plan. Sometimes I have biblical desires and think You may want me to do something. However, I also see that Your will might run contrary to what I think it is.
When David wanted to honor You by building You a temple, You told him it was not Your will for him to do so. Instead, You planned for Solomon to build the temple. Help me to submit to Your will and plan for my life.
“but saith unto him”
Please speak to me, and may I always listen. Help me not to be so distracted with the matters of this life but remember my need to hear Your voice first. If I have been raised with Christ, I will seek the things that are above where Christ is. Teach me not to set my mind on things of the earth but on things in heaven.
“Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee”
Father, You have been good to me. Jesus, You have done great things for me. You took on flesh and humbled Yourself to the point of death on the cross. You are the Man of Sorrows, and You are acquainted with grief.
You saw my helpless state and responded to me out of love. I cannot fathom what it was like to give up Your glorious position in heaven to be mocked and beaten by Your creation. But I am humbled at Your humility and have died in Your death.
“and hath had compassion on thee”
You are the compassionate God, Jesus. You are faithfully concerned about me and my well-being. You desire for me to live both now and forever with You. You became a man and can sympathize with my weaknesses.
You have been tempted in every way that I am tempted, but You are without sin. Therefore, I believe I can approach Your throne and find grace to help in my time of need. Thank You, Jesus, for Your help. In Jesus’ name, Amen.