Loss or Gain?

I see two demoniacs with a terrified legion within standing before the Lord of glory disguised as a common Man. The demons are bound to Christ’s will, and they know it; so they come up with a suggestion. I can see their suspense as they wait for Christ’s response.

“Go.”

That legion doesn’t wait for a second bidding. They go alright, hurrying to accomplish their work of destruction before Christ stops them. But Christ has no intention of stopping them. The demons work their plan, and apparently, their plan works.

Drowned pigs wash back to shore- pigs that were their owner’s wealth, success, and retirement plan. I see the owner himself looking in angry terror at the unpretentious, but frighteningly powerful Jesus. “Are you the one that allowed this? Why on earth did you permit demons to destroy my herd? Please, oh please leave.” 

Ouch.

How is it that hateful demons and the loving Jesus could ever agree on an event?? 

Two major differences, the first being motives. The demons want loss; Christ wants to break the spell of infatuation with worldly things. The demons wanted to prevent the people from hearing the Gospel; Christ wanted to turn their attention to the Gospel. The demons wanted the people to remain locked in darkness; Christ wanted the people to enjoy light, life and peace eternally.  

The second difference is this: Satan’s goal was short term, whereas Christ’s goal was long term. In other words, Let’s make these people hate Jesus, right here, right now. Let’s chase Jesus from these shores. Let’s prevent Him from teaching these people! versus, I’ll break the spell of the world and catch these souls’ attention. I’ll leave them a witness and when I come back, their hearts will be fertile soil for the seed of the Gospel. I’ll be able to bless them, etc. And guess who’s plan succeeded? That would be Jesus’ plan. 

Moral of the story? Next time you stand on the shores of experience and watch the bloated corpses of your earthly dreams wash up dead around your feet; next time you glance at Jesus and are tempted to think, Were You the One that allowed this? What gives with giving demons the go ahead?  -- In that moment remember that “whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing shall be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him.” Eccl. 3:14

What the devil means to be a loss and discouragement to us, Christ means for our eternal gain and happiness. The devil cannot really hurt us, for Christ has already calculated the story all the way to the end and has abundant blessing waiting there. Don’t let the dead pigs distract you. 

I know by experience.

“He has made everything beautiful in His time.” Really, He has. “Wait, I say, on the Lord.”