Doing The Work Of God’s Kingdom

When Jesus told his disciples that they could “walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them,” he wasn’t talking about literal critters. Rather, these pests represented the “power of the enemy” and, in particular, “evil spirits” (10:19-20). You see, the seventy-two disciples whom Jesus had sent out to do the work of the kingdom returned to him, excited that they had power over demons (10:17). Jesus reaffirmed that he had given them authority over “snakes and scorpions.” Then he added, “But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven” (10:20).

When we’re doing the work of God’s kingdom, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of our victories. There’s just about nothing more wonderful in life than being used by God to heal someone or bring that person into a saving relationship with Christ. It’s natural to be glad when God works through us. But we must remember that being used by God in this way is a result of something more profound and eternally significant. God works through those whose “names are registered in heaven” (10:20).Evidence of God’s power in our lives confirms the fact that we are citizens of his kingdom, that we belong to him for eternity. And this, Jesus said, is a matter for profuse rejoicing.

 Can you think of times in your life when God used you in a wonderful way? Did your rejoicing in that situation remind you that you belong to God? As you experience God’s good gifts in your life, does this draw you closer to the Lord? Why or why not