Lk 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."

 

Jesus has just instructed the seventy two disciples on how to go out in his name. In this passage we aren't told what they did, only their response to it: they returned with joy. And why? Because when they had gone out they had found that they were operating under God's authority and so the powers of darkness had been submitting to them. They had known the joy of delivering others from demons.

 

Now there is a simple key to this experience of the disciples: obedience. Again and again in Scripture we are shown that God blesses obedience, starting from the inception of Israel : “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.” (Ex 19:5) through to the kingdom of life in the Spirit: “the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." (Acts 5:32 ) It is very simple. When we do what God has told us to do, when we live in the way He has told us to live, then He will bless us, and joy is our experience.

 

If we want to serve God and know the wonder of Him turning up in power, then obedience is the key. When we know who we are, and know our calling and the limit of what God has called us to do (even at any given moment), then we can move with the power and authority seen here and when people come to us for help, we can pray for them with authority and expect to see the power of the Lord exhibited to free from darkness. May it be so!