2/10/10

top dog

There is no doubt as to what is happening here; one dog is dominant and the other submissive. Very straightforward, simple. One has the power and the other does not. Humans are another matter; often its hard to tell what is going on. But what about the spiritual realm? Here is a passage which gives some insight into the matter.

Matthew 8:28-34 WEB (R)
(28) When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people possessed by demons met him there, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that nobody could pass that way.
(29) Behold, they cried out, saying, "What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"
(30) Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding far away from them.
(31) The demons begged him, saying, "If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs."
(32) He said to them, "Go!" They came out, and went into the herd of pigs: and behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the cliff into the sea, and died in the water.
(33) Those who fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, including what happened to those who were possessed with demons.
(34) Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders.

Jesus and demons; no contest, Jesus always wins. With the word "Go" the demons are sent into swine. This exhibition of power inspires fear and it should. If you had any doubts about who is "top dog" in the spiritual world, this passage makes things pretty clear.

Children, bubbles and humility

Isn't it amazing how a simple thing like a bubble can provide such enjoyment to the young. They are fascinated by bubbles. And even though they don't last very long, they give enormous pleasure. One of the things I like best about being a GRANDFATHER is watching my grand kids learn to do the simplest of things. As I watch them experience something for the first time, somehow I experience it all over again WITH THEM. Even though I may know a bit more about what they are seeing (in this case, surface tension and the refraction of light), still I can see the wonder in their eyes and their obvious blessing. I guess God must feel that way about us too. As we grow spiritually, I imagine HE must derive pleasure when we begin to grasp spiritual concepts. Consider this passage from the book of Romans, for instance.

Romans 11:22-36 WEB (R)
(22) See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
(23) They also, if they don't continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
(24) For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
(25) For I don't desire you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you won't be wise in your own conceits, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,
(26) and so all Israel will be saved. Even as it is written, "There will come out of Zion the Deliverer, and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
(27) This is my covenant to them, when I will take away their sins."
(28) Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sake.
(29) For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
(30) For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience,
(31) even so these also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy.
(32) For God has shut up all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all.
(33) Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!
(34) "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
(35) "Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?"
(36) For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.

Christians need to understand that they are grafted into the tree of God's blessing. We are not anything special in and of ourselves, but are blessed with forgiveness. How? I guess we will never fully understand because we will never truly comprehend the wisdom and knowledge of God. But, we can rejoice; we can be happy and give glory to him who has done such an awe inspiring thing for us. Like little children we can enjoy the gifts God has given to us. The best part is.... we don't have to know everything, and am I glad... my head hurts when I try to really, really understand such things. Perhaps I should just stick to bubbles...