Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Just as one can get lost at sea and not know where he is or where to get help, so one can get lost spiritually. You can even forget the Bible verses you learned as a youth; you can forget how to pray; you can't even read the Bible. You are lost. You are bobbing alone in a wide spiritual ocean; despair begins to set in.
Sometimes an evil spirit can take possession of someone in despair, causing him or her to do or say things that are horrible; they have lost control.
Jesus came face to face with a man who had been through the process and was "demon-possessed, ... exceedingly fierce" (Matt. 8:28). He couldn't say anything intelligent or meaningful, but deep in his heart he longed to be saved. He said something stupid: "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" (Mark 5:7). Just the opposite of what he had wanted to say!
But he had said the word "Jesus," with a sincere desire for help. But he couldn't even bring himself to ask; the possessor-demons controlled his words (Christ's disciples assumed that he was totally hopeless, just as many today think anyone "lost" is beyond help). But Jesus quickly realized that the man, though desperate, wanted to be saved. Mark records that He cast out the demons, and set the man free.
The truth is that Jesus put Himself in this man's way, which means--He took the initiative. He made His appearance so the lost man could make a response. He always takes the initiative somehow to help the person who is lost as at sea and has wasted all his or her opportunities. In some way Jesus crosses his or her path, so make the choice to cry out even if you can't frame the words.
"Seek the Lord while He may be found," says Isaiah. (The word "seek" in the Hebrew means "inquire after." The Lord doesn't play hide-and-seek with you.) "Call upon Him while He is near." He will respond and give you grace to "forsake" your evil "way," and you can "return to the Lord" (Isa. 55:6, 7).
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 4, 2004.
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