3 September 2019 - what is there about his word?

Today's Readings

(Audio)

They were all amazed and said to one another,
"What is there about his word?
For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits,
and they come out."

It is this very word of Jesus that is given to us. With us he shares the very authority that commands unclean spirits.

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you (see Luke 10:19).

This is the word of authority we need to stay awake and to remain sober and alert. This is why the Paul speaks to the Thessalonians giving them reminders of their identity, of the words they should know, and the power they should therefore have the authority to exercise.

For all of you are children of the light 
and children of the day.
We are not of the night or of darkness.
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,
but let us stay alert and sober.

When the darkness presses in we say, "I am a child of the light."

When sleep threatens to overtake us we say, "I am a child of the day."

When the enemy tries to condemn us we say, "God did not destiny me for wrath."

When others forget the truth about themselves, we remind them, "You are a child of the light, and of the day, destined for salvation." Hopefully we see them internalize this and begin to exercise the authority Jesus has given to them in their own lives.

Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up,
as indeed you do.

Because of the word we have been given and the authority it contains we need not no longer be subject to fear.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?

Ultimately, even death must yield.

so that whether we are awake or asleep
we may live together with him.