Today's Daily Lesson comes from Matthew chapter 12 verses 43 through 45:
43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
I read those words from Jesus and I immediately think, ISIS in Iraq.
I also think of some friends who have gone into recovery and then come out only to go right back to their addiction -- at seven times the pace.
Plus I think of some of the church and non-profit boards I've seen which are a mess organizationally. Someone comes along with the mind and means to set things right, but six months after their departure things start to fall apart again.
There's a short-term plan to get things cleaned up, but no long-term will to sustain it. And in the end, things only get worse and not better.
Sweeping house and tidying up is one thing. But an empty house on the block -- no matter how nice it or the neighborhood is -- will always attract vandals. The house cannot just be swept clean and straightened up; it also has to be occupied and/or guarded and maintained.
When it comes to unclean spirits there are no quick fixes. They must be vigilantly dealt with every day, for the rest of our lives.
If that sounds exhausting -- and it does to me -- we can thank God those days come only one at a time.
That's how to keep the house in order -- one day and demon at a time.
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