Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Finger of God Thursday, March 31, 2011 Luke 11:17-20 Jesus said, "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? ... If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." No matter what Jesus said, no matter what Jesus did, he was defining love for all of us. He stirred every pot he came across, leaving nothing as it was. He challenged evil, but not only evil. He challenged the do-good-ing, the do-good-ers in their complacency. Self-satisfaction of any kind isn't safe when Jesus comes along. Leaders and teachers accustomed to being in control of their audience kept a wary eye on him. No wonder they got defensive; Jesus so easily got under their skins. Jesus longed to get into their hearts. He longs for that now. To get into my heart. He knows my divisions, the walls within me that I don't even recognize myself. When did I build those stinkin' walls, anyway? Where did they come from? Jesus has no trouble seeing me clearly. And he is insistent with that finger of God: "If I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." Rush to kingdom, rush to unity, rush to goodness, all at once, and all around me beautiful. Whoosh ... whoosh! Can I be my own worst enemy? Of course. Can Jesus see who I am, and who I am not? Yes! And he can show me, too. Even in my blindness he takes my hand and guides me straight into the Kingdom. Pointing the way is not all you do, Lord, and I thank you so much for so much more. You whisper in my ear, "You can do it, I love you." You take me strongly by the hand and guide me where I want to go. So much more. You are my strength, my rock, and my redeemer. "; Add      Edit    Delete