Author: Bill Hall

Knowing their thoughts, he told them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls.’

Luke 11:17

Don’t ever miss the significance of the first few words of this verse. So-called mind reading is a cheap trick. But, this was the real deal.

Indeed, on several occasions in the gospels we are specifically told that Jesus knew what people were thinking. Now Jesus is very intelligent, and could surely figure out what people were likely to be thinking. But He can do more than that, He CAN read minds.

Two observations are helpful here. First, this is one of the many evidences of the Divinity of Christ. And, second, it is something that I am convinced the devil can never do. Oh the old worm can figure a lot of things out. He has been guessing for a long time. But only God knows exactly what you are thinking.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love! If anyone could read anyone else’s thoughts we would all condemn each other. But You know it all and yet allow us to be redeemed. So it seemed good in Your sight. We are eternally thankful! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

And others, as a test, were demanding of him a sign from heaven.

Luke 11:16

These folks were not asking for a miracle. Jesus had performed lots of those. This was a specific request. They were looking for something like Moses’s manna or Elijah’s fire.

However, these signs from above had not been provided because of belief, but due to a lack of it. God’s preference is that people believe without these types of evidences. Jesus, therefore, refused to provide a ‘sign from above’ to prove Himself.

Heavenly Father, thank You for understanding us so well. We are so selfish and we think we are so smart. But You know the end from the beginning. Thank You, Father. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But some of them said, ‘He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’

Luke 11:15

Critics are everywhere! False prophets abound! The jealousy of the Jewish leadership over the success of Christ was very strong.

But, there was more to it than that. There was a theological issue at stake. If they recognized the authority of Christ to cast out demons, then they would be admitting He was sent by God. And, because of the measure of His authority, they might have to admit He had come from heaven.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to us! The power of His Spirit in our lives gives us victory in this dark world. We praise You! We love You! You are worthy! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Now he was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed.

Luke 11:14

I am sure many will wonder the same thing I do about this. A mute demon? What’s up with that?

The powers of darkness are all about confusion. Demonic forces will not fail to subvert, lie, trick, lure, trap, kill, destroy, and ruin. When this is the goal, having a voice is not completely necessary. The demon kept this man from being able to speak for himself.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us a voice with which to praise You! It is a joy to sing to Your glory and honor. You are wonderful, glorious, and so very powerful! The powers of this world are nothing before You. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

Luke 11:13

We hear a lot of the teaching of this passage repeated. Ask and you shall receive. Request what you want from God. But, then the last part of this verse gets left out.

What is Jesus telling us here? If we are saved, don’t we have the Holy Spirit? Well, first of all, He is speaking to the lost. He is assuring them that God, as a loving Father, will give them salvation if they will ask for it. And then, secondly, He is speaking to the saved. Though the Spirit indwells us, we are still meant to ask and seek to be filled and guided by the Holy Spirit. This is why we are to be people of prayer.

Ask Him for the Spirit! Without the Spirit, we are but poor imitators of Christ. With His Holiness in us, we may truly reflect the glory of Jesus to a lost and dying world.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Spirit! We forget this Priceless Treasure! Oh forgive us! Lord God, bless us with Your Spirit! May He lead and guide us in everything. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

Luke 11:12

Sometimes we don’t get what we ask for. And that’s because we don’t always ask for things we really need. But, our requests are heard. God doesn’t rain judgement on our heads for even daring to ask Him for something.

He could. He has made everything just like it is. He could just tell us to shut up and be happy. But that isn’t Who He is. He wants us to ask.

Heavenly Father, thank You for listening! It is so easy for us to forget how much listening You do. We have a hard time listening, but You do it 24/7. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?

Luke 11:11

Jesus provides an even simpler example here. A good father loves his child and will care for that child’s needs. The child’s request will be fulfilled with all the care and tenderness the father can give.

Heavenly Father, thank You for making it clear that You care about us. You keep our welfare in mind and want what is best for us. You are awesome! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 11:10

The key that Jesus is getting at here is that we need to want this thing we are after. Oh, often we claim to want things. And we really convince ourselves that we do. But we never get them because we won’t ask and ask, and seek and seek, and knock and knock. So, we want it, but we don’t want it enough.

I learned early on this simple truth from Scripture. If you want God in your life, you have to pursue Him. If you desire His blessing, you need to ask for it earnestly. If you want to be used by His mighty hand, you must make yourself available.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth of Your Word. Thank You for not lying to us. You are the most precious possession. If we have all of You, we need nothing else. Thank You for pushing us to desire You and Your will. What a mercy! What a grace! What a joy! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.

Luke 11:9

We know we can ask God for things. But, how often do we ask Him really specific questions? Do we seek Him earnestly? When we want access to His truth and knowledge, do we keep knocking?

Heavenly Father, thank You for access to You! Knowing You and being able to speak with You is so wonderful! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s shameless boldness, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

Luke 11:8

This midnight request will be fulfilled because of human nature. There are some requests that we have no desire to respond to. But, the audacity of the request causes us to want to fulfill it to save face later.

Everyone understands why a person would not want to be disturbed in the middle of the night. But most people would expect this desparate cry for help to get a favorable response.

Heavenly Father, thank You for listening even when we are unreasonable. You are kind and loving. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.