The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to 'tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven." // Matthew 10:17-20
I am really scared of two types of creatures—snakes and scorpions. I know that there are many non-venomous types of snakes, but that does not prevent the fear that grips me when I see a gardener snake slithering across my path. I am an Arizona native, so I have seen my share of rattlesnakes (two to be exact) and scorpions (two of my kids have been bitten), and I admit to having partaken in a few snake killings on our property. You would think my fear would be a bit diminished. Nope. They still give me serious shakes.
When I read the words of Jesus today, I know that a fair number of the seventy-two He was speaking with were also probably less than excited about walking on serpents and scorpions. Jesus tells them He has given them the power to tread upon serpents and scorpions and the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm them. He is telling them to move through life with physical, spiritual, and emotional confidence. He instructs them to trust that nothing the devil, nor earthly creatures, will do can do real harm to them. For while the Lord sometimes protects our bodies, He always protects our souls.
That is pretty amazing.
And yet this spiritual and physical invincibility is not even worth rejoicing over in comparison to the promised gift of life in Heaven.
I am not able to walk on snakes and scorpions unharmed—nor do I want to—but I do aspire to have my name written in the book of Heaven. I long for that spiritual certainty that I will one day enter the Kingdom.
It is up to each of us to decide if we want to be like the seventy two. Do you embrace your vocation in the way Jesus instructed, snakes and scorpions and all? Are you trusting enough to trust the Lord completely? Can you shake off the dust of your feet when you face rejection? Can you leave that baggage you daily drag around and trust more fully in the Lord?
Let’s leave all that behind and focus on the Lord while He writes our name in Heaven.
Trust the Lord completely. // @maryruthhackettClick to tweet
Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett is a writer, national speaker, and podcast host covering topics in psychology and faith. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and works at the important intersection of faith and developmental science, blending them in the original harmony God intended. Dr. Mary Ruth is the author of Daughter by Design: Discovering Your Identity as God's Beloved Daughter, and co-coauthor of Spiritual Discernment for Beginners: Learning to Hear God and Defeat the Lies of the Enemy. She is a contributing author to All She Had and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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