I needed this truth from the Word today.

“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 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. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:16-17 ESV

Most of you (whoever you are out there reading this) know that I’ve been working through a program called Biblical Foundations of Freedom for about the last year.  The focus of this has been rooting out all the seemingly “respectable” sins in my life (bitterness, fear, unforgiveness, etc.), and the areas I’ve given Satan footholds in my life and, consequently, in my body. It focuses on repentance, binding the demonic, taking back ground, and renewing yourself in the Word. Recently I found myself so burdened and weighed down by the process, I realized I had begun to miss the grace in it, and I was reminded that restored relationship and fullness of Christ in me was the goal, not my physical healing. So today I was grateful for this reminder from the Lord, that sure, I have all power through Christ over the demonic forces in my life, but neither my joy nor my focus should revolve around that. My heart and hope should rejoice and center around my position in Christ, who is my Savior and my God.

Here’s also the poem about these vereses that John Piper posted on his Desiring God Blog today.  Blessings!