Passage Read: Mark 1-2
Meditation Verse: 1:34
Thought
The demons recognized Jesus and would tell it freely, so Jesus would not permit them to speak, and they obeyed. More than that, He would cast them out of those who came to Him, and they could not refuse. They did exactly as He instructed, but the leper Jesus healed a few sentences later couldn't keep quiet in spite of Jesus' stern warning to tell no one. The demons obeyed; the man didn't. The demons feared Jesus; the man didn't realize he was treating Jesus with contempt when he freely told everyone what Jesus had done. He probably justified himself by telling himself that he was exalting Jesus, singing His praises. But he was honoring Jesus by disobeying and dishonoring His command.
Application
The demons are not humble, but they tremble before God and His Word. They recognize who Jesus is. The humble among men are also those who tremble at God's Word, to be quick to do what it says and to be careful to overlook none of it. The demons know things that I don't truly understand: They know the power and glory and might of God, and though they live in rebellion to God, they will not disobey a direct command. They live in fear, terror of what God can and will do to them. Out of His sight, they do as they please. How much am I like the demons if I only obey when I think His eye is on me, when I'm confronted with a direct command? Am I even less obedient than them? Glossing over clear commands, and living as I please most of the time, thinking that His eye is not on me? No wonder God honors the slave who obeys from the heart, not as man-pleasers performing eye-service. That's not real obedience, but the fear and honor that resides in the heart at all times, that is dedicated to obedience for loves' sake, out of genuine respect and honor for the God who made me and redeemed me from my pursuit of self-destruction. It's too easy to choose my own way; God, help me choose Yours, in better fear of You than the demons have.