INTRODUCTION

The disciples were zealous to make sure everyone toed the line. They proudly declared to Christ that they had forbad some man that was casting out devils, because he was not a follower of theirs. No doubt they were expecting the praise of the Saviour. Surely, thought they, he would be overly pleased with their zeal and boldness for the truth. They had to be surprised when the Lord’s first words were, "Forbid him not" (Mark 9:39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
See All...). As was His custom, the Lord followed these startling words with profound words of wisdom when He said, "For he that is not against us is on our part" (Mark 9:40For he that is not against us is on our part.
See All...). A man who walked not with the disciples was not necessarily their enemy.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Joshua wanted Moses to forbid two of the seventy elders from prophesying because they were in the camp and not at the tabernacle. Read Moses’ answer to Joshua (Numbers 11:16-17 [16] And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. [17] And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
  See All..., 24-29). God can use whom He wants where and when He wants.
• Are there some you would like to forbid from serving the Lord? Are they preaching Christ and salvation by grace through faith? Is there a way you could expound unto them the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
  See All...)?
• Do you follow the same pattern of graciousness demonstrated by your Saviour? If not, why?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to give you wisdom on when to forbid or when to allow.
• Ask the Lord to give you of His graciousness.

HYMN

Blest Be the Tie That Binds

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