Turning the Tables on the Enemy

Luke 8:39b “…so he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.”

When Jesus wins a victory, He always turns the tables on the enemy and uses the circumstances to glorify God. Listen to this story taken from Luke 8:22-39 and see what God does!

The naked man stood on the shoreline gazing out at the sea. The rising wind struck his bare skin, warning of the impending storm. Anyone in their right mind would have run for cover, but this man stood staring out into the mist, his wild eyes scanning the skyline.

He did not like the company of people and, frankly, they did not like his company either. Who wants to be around someone whose body has become the dwelling of numerous demons.  On a regular basis he would be seized by the evil spirits, and no matter how many times the townspeople kept him under guard, bound with chains and shackles, he always broke free and escaped to the desert. He was completely uncontrollable. He had made himself a home in the nearby graveyard where no one would bother him. But this day he was drawn to the misty seaside and searched the menacing waves.

Suddenly, to his surprise, the breakers fell and the surface of the water became as smooth as glass, revealing a small fishing boat headed towards shore. It looked like it was full of burly men, one of whom was standing with arms outstretched.

As the boat approached he heard a powerful voice (the same voice that had miraculously calmed the stormy lake) command the unclean spirit who dwelled within his body to come out. He desperately wanted to be free, but his life was not his own. As he fell at Jesus’ feet, the voice that controlled him roared in anger, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.”

In response to Jesus’ question the evil voice gave his name, Legion. He was named this because there was not one, but many demons who lived within this man’s body. Legion, recognizing the authority standing before him, implored Jesus to allow them, if they must leave, to enter a herd of swine that were feeding on the mountain.

With permission, the host of evil spirits left the naked man and entered into the unsuspecting pigs. The herdsmen’s mouths dropped open as they watched the terrified swine rush down the steep bank and fall into the lake where they perished under the murky waters.

The pig-herders took off towards town to report what had happened, and in short order, all the people of the countryside and surrounding district rushed out to see for themselves. Upon arrival they were amazed at what they saw – the crazy, uncontrollable man who lived in the tombs was sitting at the feet of one called Jesus and he was completely sane!

“What has happened here?” the people wondered. Ripples of fear swept through the crowd and they asked Jesus to leave their country.  So He got into the boat to head back across the sea. As He was leaving, the freed man desperately begged to go with Him, but Jesus told him to stay where he was and tell everyone all that had happened to him. That is exactly what he did! He returned to his house and proclaimed his story throughout the whole city.

How many people came to know Jesus as their Savior because of the testimony of this previously possessed man? No one will ever know on this side of eternity, but I will guess there were many. Only Jesus can turn the tables on the enemy and change a horrible circumstance into an opportunity for glorifying God. He always gets complete victory.

Love,

Mama