Today’s devotion is Luke 11:14-26 which covers Jesus casting out the demon from the mute man and the Pharisees’ response in which they attributed such miracle to Jesus doing it by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.
We will focus on verse 20. “But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Luke 11:20.
This Scripture covers different teachings which could be subject of this devotion, but I chose to focus on this verse which speaks of the kingdom of God. How often, and in different ways, Scripture speaks of the kingdom of God!
Sometimes, Scripture speaks of the kingdom of God as gentle and simple, something that a child can approach and understand. Mark 10:14: “But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:15: “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
Sometimes, Scripture speaks of the kingdom of God as powerful and mysterious, something that no warrior (nor demon as in this Scripture) can stand his ground. “Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD before the new court, and he said, “O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. “Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?” 2 Chronicles 20:5-7.
But, whenever and however the kingdom of God is mentioned, we would do well to pay close attention and pray that God will grant us understanding to understand the kingdom of God. “And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.” Luke 8:10
In seeking to understand the kingdom of God, it helps us to be reminded of what God desires and does as stated in Jeremiah 9:24: “but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”
In seeking to understand the kingdom of God, it helps us to understand the absolute sovereignty and power of God as stated in Isaiah 46:9-11.
“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 