Mark 1:23–28 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:23–28 on biblegateway.com
Verse 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, Verse 24and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." Verse 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" Verse 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. Verse 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching-with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." Verse 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Devotion
The voice of God is hard to hear when other voices speak loudly in my ear. Jesus' power and authority threaten the voices that seek to draw me from God's good and gracious will. An unclean and evil spirit in a man recognizes God, expecting to be destroyed by Jesus. "Be silent, and come out of him!" says the Lord. Before submitting to Christ, this voice speaks even more loudly trying to keep its hold over the man. The cares and temptations in my daily life are other kinds of influences which attempt to shout above the steady voice of God. Listening to voices which lie, deceive or distract keeps me from hearing the Lord's promise of redemption. I can be delivered from troubles and from trials when I focus on the healing voice of Jesus who has control of all things in heaven and earth.
Prayer
Lord of life, your word is strong and protects me from danger. Silence the sounds that distract me from hearing your voice of peace. Amen.