Morning by Morning, August 23 - Love and Restoration through Freedom in Christ
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I thank You for the cross and for all Your mercy and love, as I begin my day grateful for You. ...
“They came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gadarenes. And when (Jesus) had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him. He lived among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain, for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces, and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before Him...” (Mark 5:1-6). ...
We call this man “the Gadarene” demoniac, because he had “many” demons (v. 9). They tormented him and isolated him, getting people to turn against him and getting him to turn against himself.
We think of him as “a hard case” or extreme example of spiritual torment. But at the same time, if we’re really honest with ourselves and our own struggles, aren’t their times when we can find out ourselves isolated or rejected, judged and feeling alone, even hurting ourselves with different forms of self-abusive to deaden the pain or try to silence the voices? Our situation and spiritual battles may not be quite as extreme, but just as much in need of a Savior who can set us free.
The most important part of the story, the part where everything begins to change in this man’s life, is when “he ran and bowed down before (You)” (v. 6). That wasn’t the demons that ran to Jesus. That was the man. All their power of influence over his life from whatever had given them that kind of access to his mind and will and emotions of his soul couldn’t keep him from running to Jesus.
You knew he was there. You knew his needs. And You went “to the other side” to go to him in Your mercy and love. But at the same time, he also needed to come to You. He needed to open his heart and call on Your name, that You could set him free in Your love and restoration through Your liberation of his life.
And that’s just what You did. Because that’s just what You do.
The spiritual battle was intense (v. 7-13). But the spiritual victory was assured. He was set free and restored to “his right mind” in the power of Your mercy and love (v. 15).
Last night I was so honored and moved to share this message You had put in my heart at a church called Amor & Restauración in Morelia, Mexico -- named for the Love and Restoration of our Savior’s mercy and love, for the healing and liberation we can have in Christ. Nearly a thousand came, with many new people coming, along with many who were in programs seeking recovery from their tormenting situations, according to Pastor Omar. And also many who looked fine on the outside, but at the same time, who also struggled with torment in the mind and will and emotions of their souls on the inside. There were many -- like all of us -- who needed Your healing from the inside out to be restored to our right mind, “a right spirit” with a “clean heart” and the “joy of (our) salvation” (Psalm 51:10-12).
Literally hundreds lifted their hands and opened their hearts to be saved! And literally hundreds experienced the power of Your mercy and love to be set free in their spirit and soul and body in Christ!
You were willing to come “to the other side” of our lives. And we were willing to come running to You in our hearts -- running to Jesus that You could set us free. That’s what You did. Because that’s what You do!
And after You did that for that man that day on the other side of the sea, You sent him home to his community to “tell them how much the Lord (had) done for (him) and what mercy He has shown (him)” (v. 19). And as he “began to proclaim ... how much Jesus did for him” everywhere he went, “everyone was amazed!” (v. 20)
They were “amazed” because You’re an amazing Savior whose heart of mercy and love, of love and restoration, is to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free -- no matter how intense our situation, no matter how hidden the pain and torment of our own battles.
A long time ago, You crossed over to the other side when You went to the cross for our salvation and for our freedom. And now You’re so ready to respond to all who could come running to You. That’s what You do. Because that’s who You are. In Jesus’ name pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you be set free from all that holds you back from being all God created to you to be, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Messiah Ministries Mailing Address: 412 S. Adams Street #148 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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