On July 14, 2008, Major League Baseball fans witnessed an incredible feat. Josh Hamilton – an outfielder for the Texas Rangers – hit 28 home runs, including 13 in a row, to set the single round record for the Home Run Derby! That’s impressive, but something more spectacular happened nearly 3 years before this milestone. After years of substance abuse and failed rehabilitation attempts, Josh Hamilton received deliverance on October 6, 2005. When asked about his recovery, Hamilton simply said, “It’s a GOD thing.” In other words, GOD delivered him from a drug addiction that nearly cost him his career and life.
Isn’t it wonderful that GOD’S power can deliver us? The man featured in this text had a first-hand experience with GOD’S delivering power. He was in bad shape; he was demon possessed, and every human attempt to restrain him had failed. But, thankfully, his situation wasn’t beyond JESUS’ power. JESUS rebuked the demons and delivered the man to life as he had enjoyed it!
The same power that delivered Josh Hamilton and the man from today’s text is available to us now! No matter your addiction, fleshly struggle, emotional instability, or mental disturbance, GOD can set you free!
JESUS said, “The SPIRIT of the LORD is upon ME, for HE has anointed ME to bring Good News to the poor. HE has sent ME to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free” (Luke 4:18, New Living Translation). Have you tried HIM?