The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
Matthew 8:33-34 (ESV)
Lord Jesus, as I reflect upon this passage, my soul asks why? Why would the herdsmen and the city ask for You to leave after You have done this great thing for those two demon-possessed men? You have changed those two men’s lives. You also have, in a real way positively impacted all their lives. They no longer have to deal with the manic behavior of those men. Yet, they asked You – no begged You – to leave. Why?
Lord, sometimes I love money, what I have, and the status quo so much that I am not willing to give them up for Your peace. In Psalm 116:12 the psalmist asks the question, “What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?” What am I willing to give up to have You reign as Lord in my life? I know that it is not about buying or earning Your love. But, it is about exposing where my heart is.
I confess that sometimes I hold on to this world too much, loving this world more than I should. Yet, when I reflect upon what I have in YOU and compare it to what this world has to offer, YOU win out without comparison! It is not even a contest!
So today, please expose to me what I am holding on too tightly to. Show me how I am allowing the love of this world to interfere with my wonder of Your goodness. Remove the cloudy thinking and twisted perspectives that I carry from my sin nature and enable me to see the miracles that You are doing in my midst. I am willing to give it all up just to see You. Continue to amaze me Lord! You are a wonder! Thank You for giving me a glimmer of Your glory! Amen!