Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Mark 5.

The man, possessed by a legion of demons, “begged [Jesus] earnestly not to send them out of the country.” In fact, the legion of demons even “begged [Jesus] saying, ‘Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.’”

When the people of the area heard about what happened, they “began to beg Jesus to depart from their region,” while the newly-delivered man, finally freed from the demons, “begged [Jesus] that he might be with Him.” (Mark 5:10, 17, 18 ESV)

What is the reaction of our friends and loved ones, the people of our communities, when they encounter Jesus?

• Do they ask to be with Him … or do they ask to be free from Him?
• Do they ask Him to be near Him or far, far away?
• Do they want to be delivered of the demons  holding them captive, or do they prefer to remain in the comfortable life to which they’ve grown accustomed?

More importantly, what is our own reaction to meeting Him?

• Does our fear of His awesome power and holiness drive us to our knees in reverence, or does it drive us to run from Him in terror?
• Do we fall at His feet and beg Him to take us with Him?
• Do we pursue Him night and day, hungry to touch even the hem of His garment?
• Do we proclaim to our friends how much the Lord has done for us, or do we hide our light deep beneath a bushel?

Heavenly Father, I’m begging You to be near me, to walk with me, to hold my hand, to be my ever-present companion and help. I need You every hour. I want to be Your mouthpiece, shouting Your praises from the rooftops and from home to home as I go. Please, Father, bless me to be a blessing – to You and to my fellow man. For Your glory and our good I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ who has promised to be with me wherever I go. Amen.