Daily Devotional for Friday, January 30

Jesus Healed a Demon-Possessed Man

“Return to thine own house and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him,” Luke 8:39.

The Lord often used broken vessels. John Newton was just such a vessel. Born in London, July 24, 1725, John was destined to be used of God in a great way. However, his early life was anything but promising. As a young man he was living the life of a sea-going, drinking, brawling, deck swabbing hand on a ship engaged in the transatlantic slave trade. John Newton had no qualms about blaspheming the God of Heaven, mocking the Bible, engaging in vile practices and buying and selling human beings. It seemed he was bound for perdition.

            However, God had other plans for John Newton. Even though she died just before John turned seven, his mother had faithfully poured the Word of God, often chapters at a time, into his little mind and heart. She taught him hymns of worship and encouraged him to look to Heaven.

            One stormy night, March 21, 1748, the ship upon which Newton served was caught in a deadly storm that threatened the lives of all aboard. Believing this was a sign from God, John prayed for the first time in years. John feared he was going to die and that hell awaited to receive him.  This marked the return of John to his Christian roots, and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. John Newton lived to pastor and wrote the beloved hymn, “Amazing Grace.”

            No one believed the demon-possessed man of Gadarene would ever be saved, let alone be useful to anyone. Jesus could see what others could not. The poor man was like so many, in need of the deliverance that only Jesus could provide. After his deliverance, the man was instructed to return to his home and testify to the greatness of God!

FINAL THOUGHT

Only the amazing grace of Jesus can turn ruin into riches for the Glory of God!

John Nations